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It appears investors are not the only ones growing impatient for Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. to decide whether to go forward with a much-rumored merger.
Minnesota Senate President James Metzen said Friday he wants to hold a hearing to get answers on the possible merger, and threatened to subpoena top Northwest executives, if necessary. Metzen, according to KSTP TV in St. Paul, hopes to learn how a merger would impact the company's local hub, businesses that rely on the region's largest airline and the 2,300 Northwest employees who live in his district. Though the drama of a corporate chieftain under oath being forced by politicians to reveal details of ongoing merger negotiations sounds enticing, chances are it will never come to that. According to an Associated Press story on the potential hearings, subpoena subjects are typically given a week or more to comply. With most expecting a deal announcement in the coming days, Delta and Northwest would probably have ample time to get a deal finalized and out to the public prior to a hearing. But Metzen's proposed hearing does offer a glimpse into what perils lie ahead for Delta and Northwest if they do consummate their merger. Though most antitrust experts expect a deal between the airlines would ultimately be approved, it is certain to generate a lot of heat from politicians weary of losing jobs and airline service in their home districts. - Lou Whiteman See KSTP report on Metzen's proposed hearing CategoriesComments
From: Lou Whiteman,
Fair point, but as you note Metzen is only doing what most politicians would in his situation. With that in mind I would expect many more hearings to be called by a number of elected officials once a deal is actually announced.
Posted on:
February 15, 2008 5:03 PM
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Shouldn't the headline read "1 politician" rather than "politicians". Metzen, like all politicians, is worried about his career and not that of others. Politics as usual.