I probably first flew America West (sometimes I'd call is America Worst) in the early 1990's. Since the mid-1990's the companies I have worked for have been based out of Phoenix. America West's (AWE) HQ and main hub was Phoenix. Thus my company's preferred airline was AWE (or the airline code was HP). Sometimes I'd get to fly Alaska, but America West had more non-stops between Portland and Phoenix than any other airline, including Southwest. As you might be able to tell, I was not pleased with AWE. I always felt that had horrible customer service with very abrupt gate agents and other staff. They were also a rather small airline so Frequent Flyer miles did not mean all that much.
The airline was founded in 1981 and started flying in 1983. It was always based out of Phoenix Skyharbor. They basically caused the building of the massive Terminal 4 at that airport that is now home of Southwest and America West successor, US Airways (soon to American). AWE went though bankruptcy in the early 90's but survived it.
In 2005 American West merged with US Air. In reality AWE bought bankrupt US Air, but operationally, US Air absorbed the smaller AWE to become US Airways. The Call sign for AWE from Air Traffic Control was Cactus, US Airways retains that call sign, which I find interesting, but being based in Arizona it just makes sense!. However, in 2014 US Airways will become history, hmm.. sounds like another disappearing airline cache....
Looking for a bison tube...