Venetianfrycook said:

"Isn't it ironic, though, that three years after Delta fought tooth and nail to avoid US buying them, they are now apparently considering turning around and buying US?[/QUOTE]

I do not think "irony" has anything to do with this potential merger. Its more than likely that DAL was already courting NW, when US threw a wrench in the process. Remember DAL and NW filled BK within 24 hrs of each other.
DAL did a stupendous job at keeping the cards close to their chest.