Helane Becker Quotations

I wouldn't be at all surprised. In the past, these two airlines have talked and they have very little route overlap.

I think the industry in general is having a little better time of it on the revenue side of the equation.

I think that the numbers weren't as good as Continental's and they were below the consensus estimate,

I think it's their attempt to stay out of Chapter 11.

I think United cut as much as they can after three years in Chapter 11. There's not a lot more they can do at this juncture. In our view they're probably positioned as well as they can be at this time.

I think that they will file before October 17 for sure. With oil prices where they are and big pension contributions due, and without higher airfares, Northwest had no choice,

I think that they will file before Oct. 17 for sure. With oil prices where they are and big pension contributions due, and without higher airfares, Northwest had no choice,

The pilots definitely have the power in this relationship. If they don't want to fly, you don't fly.

We've got all this in the news about record oil prices. That's obviously very negative for the airlines.

The shares are down obviously on the New York Times article. That's the only news that came out before the stock began to fall,

They got a little thin in the flight-attendant ranks. People are leaving and retiring and so they're having to replace them.

They're positioned to be able to grow. They just need to convince people that their assumptions make sense.

They're doing exactly what they needed to do. The growth plan was too aggressive for jet-fuel costs where they are.

They're getting a second chance. United arguably has one of the best route structures in the world and now they have the balance sheet to support their growth.

It seems like the PEB said everyone should participate in concessions, but that United should give mechanics the raise, then you can talk about concessions, ... But now I think it'll be difficult to win those concessions.

It's about time they got aggressive. Had they done this last year, or 18 months ago even, they wouldn't be in Chapter 11.

It's a long-winded way of saying that Delta tried to cuts costs before 9/11, but was unable to. I think it's self-serving.

It is the guidance for continued loss, which is obviously very bearish for the stock.

So far, demand has really held up. We'll see what happens when prices continue to go up.

The key to the fare increase was that Northwest has matched them, and that's really what everybody has been waiting for.

Cincinnati has always been described as a hub on steroids. But as this shows, nothing is safe anymore.

I don't think anybody thinks United will emerge this year, ... There are too many questions they can't answer.

I don't think these changes will alter the ultimate outcome, which is a Chapter 11 filing,

You've got fairly substantial fuel cost bills. People are just very concerned.

The commentary was a lot more optimistic than I expected it to be given the high oil prices. The outlook was also a little more optimistic than I would have expected.