In response to a question raised earlier on this thread
Years back Uniteds president and CEO Ferris was playing golf with the then president of PAN AM, Akins I believe whereupon Akins asked Ferris if he would be interested in purchasing PAN AMERICAN's entire pacific route system. Obviously Ferris was both stunned but pleased and said yes he would be interested in purchasing the route system for 750 million dollars. He said if this was a solid offer to sell that he would approach the UA board and move forward quickly. The deal included the L-1011's, 747SP's, and some DC-10's and also there would be a provision for PA pilots and flight attendants to transfer with these respectitive aircraft over to UA and thus would become United employees. Other provsions were made regarding certain other employees but I don't recall what or whom excepting for some of the employees in Hawaii.
The deal was approved by both boards and of course Crandall of American blew a gasket when this deal was announced. It is said that he asked Akers why he didn't approach him and AA with the deal and Akers response was simply this...."Pan American needed the funds quickly and you would have made this buyout complicated and would have been on a personal level too difficult to deal with." end of quote. Hope this answers some questions as to how UA ended up with some L-1011-500's and 747SP's and of course PAN AM's entire pacific route system. HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY ALL.............................WINGED RACER
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