This week we’ve now had three major airlines report earnings for the fourth quarter — United, Delta and Southwest. They join American and Continental, who reported earnings results last week.

Tomorrow we have two more major airlines spilling their fourth quarter and year-end beans — US Airways and Alaska Airlines.



Just one comment on the United earnings call from yesterday. 

United CEO Glenn Tilton disappointed us this quarter.

Readers of PBB are aware that every quarter Glenn usually puts forth some heavy-duty corporate jargon in these calls. This quarter, however, I must say I did not find any overt abuse of such words as “disaggregation.” Glenn pretty much behaved himself in that regard.

United Airlines Earnings Call Transcript

Bloomberg Summary of United Results

Meanwhile, the headline of the day award has to go to this story. It’s an Associated Press story by Harry Weber. I read it on the Rocky Mountain News website.

Headline: Egos Slow Airline Merger Talks.



I’m shocked, I tell you. Yes, simply shocked.

Actually I’m more swamped than shocked.

Talk to you guys later. I have earnings calls to listen to.