With American-US Air Merger Official, 'Business As Usual' at PHL Airport
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The parent company of the newly merged American Airlines and US Airways says that as it continues the process of forming the world's largest airline, consumers will see only gradual changes.
As of today it's "business as usual," according to American Airlines vice president Bob Ciminelli.
"If you're booked on American, we need you go to American Airlines' ticket counter and gates," he advises. "If you're booked on US Airways, you need to go to its ticket counter and gates."
That's especially important during the busy holiday season, he notes, during which leisure travelers try to get from point A to point B along with frequent fliers.
And for those frequent fliers, he notes, "For either American or US Airways, all miles are safe."
Although the merger is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete, sometime after January the new airline -- which will eventually have the "American" name -- says it will roll out customer initiatives that include reciprocity between AA and US Air frequent-flier programs under which a customer can earn and redeem miles on either airline.
Ciminelli says Philadelphia will remain a hub, for both customers and workers.
"There will be little to no impact here in Philadelphia, manpower-wise," he said. "People will remain in their jobs."
