"Targets" on their backs? Why? I don't think any pilot from each of the three airlines wanted to merge. That's right: it is what it is. New seniority list. It's not a longevity list. No one was "in line" for anything. It happens when it happens, IF it happens. There are no guarantees in this business.

Facts without any merger / acquisition / whatever you want to call it:

9E, without a new contract, would've been understaffed (as usual). Where's all the upgrades there?

XJ, with all the SAABs going away, would have most likely furloughed. No upgrades there either.

9L, uh.... Well, nobody's really sure about them. EAS is a strange animal. Q's are popular with the codeshares, but you have to be able to operate them well. Upgrades were happening there at a modest rate.


Instead of us acting like this whole mess is weakening our pilot gene pool, perhaps we can view it as a strengthening of it through consolidation and improvement of our operations.