I think the whole trip rig issue is being blown out of proportion. Either way all pilots on the SLI now will be senior to any new hires. I personally could care less if NW hires now or the combined airline hires in six months - either way the guys will be junior to all of us. As far as NW guys getting upgrades right now - great! Let them upgrade and seat lock now in a positon that they want so they won't be bidding off again soon.
Scoop - looking for that silver lining.