MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – It's an uncertain road Clearview Federal Credit Union has been down before but this time, what might be considered a stressful time might actually be a bright spot. The uncertainty in question is the May 19 announcement from America West Airlines that it will merge with US Airways. The pending acquisition comes nine months after US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time. That same month, the former US Airways FCU expanded to a community charter and changed its name to Clearview FCU. Roughly half of the credit union's 76,000 member base is affiliated with the airline. “We almost look at it as good news for the credit union because a lot of our members will be afforded the opportunity to continue working,” said Ralph Canterbury, Clearview vice president of technology and marketing. We've been down this road before and we're ready to assist.” The $591 million credit union has indeed assisted many of its members who either work for the airline or are family members of employees or retired employees, by offering extended loan payment schedules, refinancing and financial counseling, said Christianne Gribben, Clearview FCU assistant vice president of marketing. Clearview will also attend upcoming benefit plan fairs in New York and Ft. Lauderdale. “Neither one of these areas is in our field of membership but we feel an obligation to those members,” Canterbury said. So far, published reports have said layoffs may occur as a result of the merger, which may take up to a year to complete, if approved. US Airways will retain its name and America West will remain at its home base in Tempe, Ariz. Together, America West, the eighth largest carrier, and US Airways, the seventh largest, would create the nation's sixth largest airline. “Much like everyone else, we're waiting,” Canterbury said. “This type of merger, if approved, could take six months to one year even on a best day. The company has been in some trouble for quite a few years.” On Sept. 23, 2004, NCUA granted the former US Airways FCU a community charter that allowed it to serve 2.7 million members in 10 Pennsylvania counties. The new charter also brought on a new moniker, Clearview Federal Credit Union. At the time, CU officials said the changes were necessary. While US Airways employees “have always been, and are expected to continue to be” an important part of the newly-named credit union's interest, expanding its membership base was an inevitable move given the downturn in the airline industry since the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, Clearview said. The new charter and new name also brought with it a new president/CEO, Mark Brennan, who took over on Oct. 1, 2004 when former head Joseph Cirelli retired from that post after serving four years at the helm and 35 years with the credit union. Clearview had considered converting to a trade, industry and profession (TIP) charter joining the likes of Wings Financial FCU and American Airlines Financial CU but decided against it due to shrinking US Airways staff at Pittsburgh International Airport, the airline's main hub. Founded as Allegheny Airlines FCU in 1953 by employees of the former Allegheny Airlines, it went on to change its name to US Air in 1979 and then USAir FCU. In 1997, it became US Airways FCU. Over the decades, part of Clearview's growth has come from mergers and select employee groups. Meanwhile, Clearview just recently completed a “successful” car sale with a number of buyers becoming new members. The credit union is also scheduled to open two new branches this year and several more in 2006, Canterbury said. “We have financial counseling for those who may be reaching a point where it's getting hard to go from paycheck to paycheck,” Canterbury said. “We've taken the attitude that we'll work with members on a one-to-one basis.” -

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