The irony in this engaging discussion is that both Mr Horton and Mr Parker cut their teeth early on the the finance department of AA.

There appears to be some misconception that Mr Parker won't go after cost containment and/or attempt to put a sustained profit model in place. If he's such a great leader, why is there still a split within his own house and an overwhelming rejection of a TA by his own FA's!

I'm truly open to the possibility of an equal merger that plays strength against strength. Doug isn't interested in that and the fact that he wants in all during the course of a BK process is proof positive. He's looking for all the cost cutting he can get.

He's had all the time in the world to pursue a merger with AA over the past decade, where's the beef!

But we pilots are emotional creatures and "we know we're entitled to the very best". A salesman's comes along and says, boys, have I got a deal for you! To chase that marginal dollar, we're willing to chuck it all, while attempting to convince ourselves that this new marriage is just the ticket to nirvana!

I'm just not buying the hype!