Long-suffering United Airlines’ first quarter of operations after emergence from its three-year hike through chapter 11 was not particularly impressive. The Chicago-based carrier reported a loss of $306 million (excluding a one-time, emergence-from-chapter 11 accounting gain) that compared with a net loss of $302 million a year earlier (also excluding reorganization items). Revenue for the quarter rose 14% to $4.47 billion from $3.92 billion a year earlier.
Despite that desultory performance, United is already playing the professional sports franchise game of threatening to move its long-time Chicago-area headquarters to friendlier (and presumably better subsidized) environs, such as Denver. Although one is tempted to suggest that Chicago might be better off by saying “good riddance” to the troubled airline, late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien observed late last week that Chicago really doesn’t have much to worry about:
“United Airlines might be leaving the city of Chicago. The good news is that they will be leaving from O’Hare so they will not depart for another six years.”
United coming to Denver? Dear. God. No.
If my local public officials surrender any cash/tax breaks/training funds to United, while strangling a better airline (Frontier) in its crib, recall is in order.
I tell you, the bankruptcy court should’ve ordered an auction. We here in Denver would’ve had more Southwest flights sooner if they’d done so.