Trae

I like how you didn't post the good news part of the article, or even mention it. It's not doom and gloom here in Houston.

That's one thing Dallas/North Texas does better than the Houston area. Their leaders go out and pursue many different companies for corporate headquarters, from all types of industries. I don't see Houston leaders doing much of the same, but I could be wrong.

Yeah, Houston got screwed. Don't even get to keep the operational HQ: http://www.unitedcontinentalmerger.com/press-release

Company logo? Found this at SSP: I only wish the HQ stays in Houston. Looking less likely every day, though, unfortunately.

I agree. I can see why they would move to Chicago over Houston even five or six years ago, but not now. United culture will most likely continue if you have the merged HQ in Chicago. Continental culture would if it is in Houston. The only thing Chicago offers that Houston doesn't (right now) is the prestige of being in the city. Maybe that's all Smisek needs. Would be shortsighted, though.

The HQ won't be in Sears Tower though. They are just moving some offices there. 77 Wacker Drive would be the HQ if it is going to be in Chicago. Edit: Or maybe I read that wrong.

Everywhere.

Even when Continental first announced a merger with United, there was still nothing from Houston until the next week, when it was rumored the HQ would be in Chicago. Houston and Texas leaders should have been on top of things once Continental entered merger talks again and not towards the end of it. They really dropped the ball.

Why are our city and state leaders so unprepared?

I posted this in the other thread: I really don't see how Houston and Texas leaders could have been so blind to this. Of all people, Sheila Jackson-Lee had to get the ball rolling in the media. Now that's pretty sad. It's a shame and pretty embarassing that Continental won't even return any of the messages/calls that Mayor Parker has sent them (among other people). I guess being in Chicago really does mean that much to Smisek. They aren't leaving Houston with anything, except for some more Latin American flights. Really is too bad. I wish our city officials were more like Dallas'. As much as people here rag on Dallas, they seem to be more prepared when it comes to corporate relocations. It's just that their suburbs like to get in the way.

I really don't see how Houston and Texas leaders could have been so blind to this. Of all people, Sheila Jackson-Lee had to get the ball rolling in the media. Now that's pretty sad. It's a shame and pretty embarassing that Continental won't even return any of the messages/calls that Mayor Parker has sent them (among other people). I guess being in Chicago really does mean that much to Smisek. They aren't leaving Houston with anything, except for some more Latin American flights.

Better hurry as a deal is to be announced on Monday. According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, Houston won't even be left with an operation HQ and the deal is completely one-sided in Chicago's favor.

Well, i hope the same thing happens in Houston. Continental management takes over and adopts the United name, but has the HQ in Houston.

Wasn't America West's and US Airway's HQ both located in the Phoenix metro though?

Magic 102 plays their old stuff all day long. Just tune in.

Houston is long overdue for a new hip-hop station. And no, not that reggaetone mixed in with hip-hop crap we got with Party 104.9 and 93.3. That was garbage.

I know for a fact that Houston has more foreign consulates than Chicago. Not sure on foreign banks or international companies though. But, I think they need to try a little harder. Start comparing facts between Houston and Chicago and why Houston is the better choice. They're just getting started though. And an article from the Chron: More at the link.

Not to mention that Houston is growing much faster than Chicago. If they put the HQ here, they can grow with the city. Chicago is a stagnant market nowadays. Especially when compared to cities like Houston and Dallas, which are on their way up. Hell, even Houston's GDP is catching up to Chicago's.

^^Read page one. Your questions were answered there.

Smisek going to Chicago? The article also says that the HQ would be in Chicago. Not much fight from the Texas side I guess, and it looks like United is running things. Continental needs a new CEO.

"Save JSC"? "Save NASA"? You act like those fights are over with. Especially with NASA. I don't know why people thought NASA was going away. It also doesn't look like the JSC will lose many jobs. Instead, they'll be transferred to the new program. People are just upset that Constellation is over... As for Continental, I'm sure they know the buzzsaw they are walking into. With US Airways out, Continental will have more leeway. People are taking a story from the Chicago Tribune about the HQ staying in Chicago. Don't you think there will be a little bias in there? Plus, they say United would keep the name. Why would Continental want to lose its name and have to move? One has to stay, and I think Houston will remain the HQ, but United will be the new name. The days of Chicago trumping cities like Houston and Dallas are over, as these two cities are coming up. Chicago the past, Houston the future. Even Chicago's international migration has fallen by a bunch and Houston and Dallas have similar numbers with it now.

Okay, people need to seriously stop acting like this is some conspiracy with Obama. Yes, Houston would be a better choice for the HQ (in my opinion), but the merge rumors so far are the exact same as the ones in 2008...when someone from Texas was in the White House. Bush I think? And then again, this is all just rumors, as far as the HQ goes. Hopefully what Niche said was true (with Houston/Texas leaders fighting for the HQ). I know the HQ story is getting more play in the Chron.

It appears you're right: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6973778.html Though, I think Mayor Parker should have already spoken to Continental officials by now.

So basically, Houston loses Continental's HQ and Continental's name will most likely be gone, too, in favor of the more known United. The least they could do is keep the name Continental, or if they do have it as United, put the HQ in Houston.

Sucks about possibly losing the headquarters.