Originally Posted by eaglefly

Any number of scenarios are possible and I do think it be that Parker IS interested in a merger. It seems to me, regardless of the outcome of the seniority squabble at U (which USAPA/East is likely to lose), making one cohesive carrier out of that mess might not be tenable for Parker. Perhaps he's thought of another plan in between Wild Turkey shooters.

It MAY just be he'd like to dump the East on AA and release the chains of the current disaster he's mired in and one which seems to have no end game. If Nic is implemented, it will be more of an "oil and water" situation then ever, as I can't see pilots on both sides mixing freely in the cockpit. If he could dump the East on AA, that would free up his West side to merge their Airbus fleet with perhaps Jet Blue and regain the Northeast presence lost by unloading the East and starting fresh. AMR MIGHT consider that doable as they'd also get more northeast presence and market share and that seniority meger would probably be more civil. More importantly, AA management would remain in control and then on top of that could still codeshare with U/JB. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that or a similar win/win proposal was floated in the past to AMR and if Parker agrees to refrain from an all out asault on AA, it might be something considered by all parties.

Just one of the many possibilities out there and there are many.