The defunct airline ruling the American aviation industry
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2018
- America West... What a story. Thanks to L1011Tristar and Nick on my Discord server for helping out with this video!
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"The Sky Is Our Home"
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But rather this is the story of an airline called
So TECHNICALLY, American airlines and US Airways are defunct and AW is operating under AA.
As a former America West Employee (at ORD & MDW) for 9 years, I really appreciate your video. The 757s were and still are my favorite aircraft. Who would have thought AWA would have made its way to the top of the heap? Just goes to show what a scrappy airline can do.
In 1987 America West started "flights" to the Embassy Suites Scottsdale from Sky Harbor. I was booked on the first bus running this service. I arrived at the Embassy Suites and was told I had been "bumped" because the first service was for VIP's. Unfortunately for AWA I was a minor who had been dropped off by my boarding school's van, and the school wasn't taking me back until the end of spring break. I was preparing to raise a fuss at the counter when a well dressed man came over and told the agent that it was fine that I go on that bus.
I worked for America West from 1987 to 1992 in one of their field stations. It was one of the lowest paying and most enjoyable jobs I'd ever had. I was just working part time earning extra money while in college, so it worked out great for me. We were "cross utilized" back then - meaning you worked different positions on different days - ticket counter one day, gate another, loading luggage and pushing planes out on the ramp or working operations. When I started there I had no idea that I would end up loving it so much. Many of the people I worked with I'm still in contact with today - life long friends. It was one of those jobs where almost everyone got along and had a great time together - not only on the job, but off as well. Many of us would swap shifts to get more time off and then hop a flight together to Mexico, Europe, Central America - wherever, and just have a great time together. There were all kinds of practical jokes played on each other at work, always a party to go to somewhere and just a great sense of camaraderie. I will always cherish and miss those days. I quit after I graduated from college and started working at my career right around the time America West went into bankruptcy. I never would have dreamed it was going to survive and eventually become the biggest airline in the world. It was a phenomenal achievement.
"On 14th February 2003..." um, don't you mean 2013? xD
They have a catchy theme song
I was hired by US Airways right after the merger and went through that integration and the dark years of the late 2000’s and when I was hired, I was told we were weeks away from chapter 7 and thus this was a hail merry to keep the airline afloat. As a mechanic now for 12 years and going through the AA merger. The AW/US Air merger was easier then the stalemate being felt.
My dad was a top frequent flier with America West for a lot of years...doing 100k plus every year, which is a lot on a mostly-regional carrier. The gate agents and some of the flight attendants knew him by name. So every time I flew with him, the service was amazing!
I grew up in Phoenix in the eighties. Am West, Southwest and PSA were always flying out of Sky Harbor. Hell, we had America West arena.
I helped get America West started. My Original ID badge was S0042. My badge number changed when I went through CSR training in class 5. Four days before we began official service, my manager asked if I wanted to go on a media flight to the Grand Canyon. Hopped on the the 737-200 (AW 122) and took my first ride ever on America West. It was the best !! Our main competitor out of PHX at that time was Republic with all their little banana colored planes.
Friend of mine had a son who did maintenance for America West in Phoenix back in the early 90's. For some reason, he left AW to come to SUX as a maintenance man for the old Northwest. He now owns his own airplane service shop based at SUX in Iowa.
I miss the old airlines like: Northwest, TWA, America West, U.S Airways and Continental Airlines. Those were the glory days of aviation. When full meals were complimentary in coach class, no TSA or baggage fees and flying was fun. Now everything is to strict.
How I miss America West. The little 80’s airline through hard work and family atmosphere became a major airline. I’m proud to be one of HP’s former employees and truly appreciate the facts stated in your video. Thank you.
we all remember Juan Trippe trying to stop TWA...
Now we shall see a defunct airport project in Mexico
I find the title of this video misleading. It should more aptly be titled, "How America West became American Airlines". This is more a transitional history of America West and how it manifests itself today under the name of AA. American does not dominate the aviation industry. It may only be slightly larger than the number two carrier, Delta, in terms of revenue miles; however, all three of the legacy carriers, AA, DL, and UA, are all very close together in size and revenue. No one single airline dominates the industry.
"...on big, luxurious, 757s". LOVE THAT!
America West, when you marry a lot and nobody knows you last name
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