Don’t ask whether the proposed 3 billion merger (兼并) of United Airlines and Continental will benefit you. It won’t. Because this isn’t about you. It’s about them. Specifically, it’s about the need for the airlines to raise fares and increase revenues after years of unreasonable discounting that led to billions in losses. “For the airlines, it’s a good thing,” says Matthew Smith, an airline analyst (分析师) at Majestic Research. “By not having as much supply, they can fly fuller planes, charge higher prices and operate more efficiently. For the customers, well, I don’t think they’re going to see planes that are only two-thirds full or bargain – basement prices from airlines desperate to fill seats.” In a joint press release, the new company promised “strong competitive pressure on fares,” but in reality that pressure has been coming from budget carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue. Those of us in the back of the bus may have to worry about employees who have lost some seniority (老资格) in a joined workforce. Labor issues might be a problem, says Perkins, contributing editor of SmarterTravel.com. He remembers the strike of 1985 in United Airlines. “If and when they start making money,” says Perkins, “those unions could turn around and say, ‘We gave it up when you needed it. Where’s our share? ’” The potential for a strike worries him, since the new united company will hold 21 percent of the market and finding a replacement seat in the event of a strike could be next to impossible. As for fares, there’s no place to go but up. After Delta merged with Northwest, fares on their combined routes rose at least 10 percent, according to George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com. But that’s no reason to panic. “The vast majority of leisure travel is optional,” he says. “When airlines raise fares, people stop flying. So they’ll have to be careful.” Even if this merger prompts a US Airways link-up and even more integration, Hobica doesn’t think we’re going to see wild fare increases. But it definitely means that you have to say goodbye to the past. “I’ve enjoyed the ride,” says Hobica with a sigh. “But the party’s over.”1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?A) The merged airlines will get their revenues increased soon after.B) After the merger, airlines have to try harder to make the planes full.C) The merged airlines will no longer offer discount to attract customers.D) Before the merger, airlines have suffered great loss from discounting. 2. The word “promised” (Para. 1) most closely means ___________.A) predicted in advance B) gave a commitmentC) explained in detailD) looked forward to3. What does Perkins worry about?A) The new airline company doesn’t want to employ senior workers.B) The new airline company holds too much share of the market.C) If a strike happens, the new airline company will face a hard situation. D) If the new airline makes money, its labor unions may share the profit.4. What does Hobica mean by “the party’s over” at the end of the passage?A) Leisure travel will never come back again.B) The days when fares were cheap are gone. C) People may choose other means of travelling.D) The merger of airline companies is common now.5. What does the author think of the merger of the two airline companies?A) It will bring mixed blessings to the two companies. B) It will cause much pressure to other airline companies.C) It will create panic among its employees and customers.D) It will enable the two companies to survive in the market.

Don’t ask whether the proposed $3 billion merger (兼并) of United Airlines and Continental will benefit you. It won’t. Because this isn’t about you. It’s about them. Specifically, it’s about the need for the airlines to raise fares and increase revenues after years of unreasonable discounting that led to billions in losses. “For the airlines, it’s a good thing,” says Matthew Smith, an airline analyst (分析师) at Majestic Research. “By not having as much supply, they can fly fuller planes, charge higher prices and operate more efficiently. For the customers, well, I don’t think they’re going to see planes that are only two-thirds full or bargain – basement prices from airlines desperate to fill seats.” In a joint press release, the new company promised “strong competitive pressure on fares,” but in reality that pressure has been coming from budget carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue.  Those of us in the back of the bus may have to worry about employees who have lost some seniority (老资格) in a joined workforce. Labor issues might be a problem, says Perkins, contributing editor of SmarterTravel.com. He remembers the strike of 1985 in United Airlines. “If and when they start making money,” says Perkins, “those unions could turn around and say, ‘We gave it up when you needed it. Where’s our share? ’” The potential for a strike worries him, since the new united company will hold 21 percent of the market and finding a replacement seat in the event of a strike could be next to impossible.  As for fares, there’s no place to go but up. After Delta merged with Northwest, fares on their combined routes rose at least 10 percent, according to George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com. But that’s no reason to panic. “The vast majority of leisure travel is optional,” he says. “When airlines raise fares, people stop flying. So they’ll have to be careful.” Even if this merger prompts a US Airways link-up and even more integration, Hobica doesn’t think we’re going to see wild fare increases. But it definitely means that you have to say goodbye to the past. “I’ve enjoyed the ride,” says Hobica with a sigh. “But the party’s over.”1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?A)  The merged airlines will get their revenues increased soon after.B)  After the merger, airlines have to try harder to make the planes full.C)  The merged airlines will no longer offer discount to attract customers.D)  Before the merger, airlines have suffered great loss from discounting. 2. The word “promised” (Para. 1) most closely means ___________.A)  predicted in advance B)  gave a commitmentC)  explained in detailD)  looked forward to3. What does Perkins worry about?A)  The new airline company doesn’t want to employ senior workers.B)  The new airline company holds too much share of the market.C)  If a strike happens, the new airline company will face a hard situation. D)  If the new airline makes money, its labor unions may share the profit.4. What does Hobica mean by “the party’s over” at the end of the passage?A)  Leisure travel will never come back again.B)  The days when fares were cheap are gone. C)  People may choose other means of travelling.D)  The merger of airline companies is common now.5. What does the author think of the merger of the two airline companies?A)  It will bring mixed blessings to the two companies. B)  It will cause much pressure to other airline companies.C)  It will create panic among its employees and customers.D)  It will enable the two companies to survive in the market.