Merger Upset: Who Cares and Why?

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

See recent posts by Ed Perkins

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As you’ve no doubt seen by now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it plans to oppose the merger between American and US Airways. Once viewed as a certainly, the merger has been relegated back to “maybe” status. Reactions from key players in the airline industry have tended to follow four basic threads:

Surprise: No matter what side they’re on, just about everyone was taken by surprise. A typical reaction: “If they allowed Delta-Northwest and Continental-United, how can they possibly disapprove of this one?”
Approval: Consumer advocates were virtually unanimous in opposing the merger, which they claim would lead to higher fares and fees. They’re delighted to see DOJ step into the deal.
Disapproval: Industry financial analysts generally favor increased consolidation, not least because it allows the airlines to increase fares and fees.
Skepticism: Legal folks think that DOJ’s suit will probably not prevail. The Department has been significantly unsuccessful in prior antitrust actions against big airlines, so why should it start winning now?

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