America West Airlines Workers Fear Air Merger

America West mechanic Randy Klinckhardt, one of a couple of dozen Teamsters union members who showed up, said in an interview that "somebody always takes it in the shorts" in airline mergers. "I'm sure they don't want it, and we don't want it."

One pilot told Parker he hopes a merged company would take America West's name, not US Airways', because America West has more "warm fuzzies" associated with it.

While not guaranteeing anybody's job -- even those of executives -- Parker said America West wants "to do what's best for our employees in the long run."

Several times in a question-and-answer session, a shareholder-heckler, Seymour Licht, wagged his finger at Parker and screamed at him to provide more details of discussions with US Airways.

"I want to know! I'm a shareholder! I'm entitled to know!" Licht yelled. "Don't lie to me!"

Parker, with an arm resting casually on the lectern, smiled broadly at Licht. He said company lawyers won't let him talk about details.

But later, when Licht said America West is pursuing a merger and not caring about employees, Parker cut him off.

"Don't tell me that, because I do," Parker replied. "I'm not going to let you stand here in front of my employees and say that."