Cranky on the Web (May 2 – 7)

For Fliers, Mixed Impact Seen – Wall Street Journal
The articles have been flying fast and furious this week regarding the United/Continental merger. I was quoted in this one.

United-Continental Merger: A Good Fit (If It Happens), but Cleveland Won’t Like It – BNET
It’s merger time and now it’s time to start picking off the winners and losers. Let’s start here with the cities at risk.

The Mike Siegel Show (radio – MP3 file) – Business Talk Radio Network
I spent more than half an hour talking with Mike Siegel about the proposed Continental/United merger and about Cranky Concierge (starts at the 18 minute mark).

United-Continental Merger: Will Regulators Approve? They Should – BNET
Everyone wants to know if this will get federal approval. It should.

united and continental get married – antibride.com
Writing for a wedding site, I couldn’t resist drawing parallels between a wedding and a merger.

Slot Swap Ruling Demonstrates Hostile Washington Climate for Airlines – BNET
Now that the final order has been issued on the Delta/US Airways slot swap, we might have a window into how things will go for United/Continental.

Why the Volcano Airspace Shutdown Was Actually an Overreaction – BNET
At the Phoenix symposium, I had the chance to hear BA CEO Willie Walsh go on a rant about why the airspace shouldn’t have been closed. I find myself starting to agree.

Why Japan is the Most Interesting Aviation Market in the World – BNET
It’s incredible when you think about all the changes happening in Japan right now. I spoke with ANA’s Director of International and Regulatory Affairs about the challenges ahead.