News Flash:
This merger was done for one and only one reason....To defeat the CAL scope clause, the strongest in the industry. CAL Management couldn't defeat it without merging with another company that already had in place weaker, and more liberal language.
You give up 70 seat jets, 1200 pilots or more lose their mainline jobs through attrition. That will take 2 years max to see play out. Also, look for a ripple effect:
1. Regionals lose pilots as they grow frustrated with the career progression.
2. Pilot Shortage announced by ATA (A4A), FAA, and ALPA jumps on the band wagon to: A. pursue lowering flight time minimums, B. sponsor and allow age 70 legislation, C. Further degradation of the career with reduced earnings, lower quality of life, and way too much domestic work and all the reassignments, and reduced rest that goes with it.
The ripple effect will be eternally damming to the profession, and far out-weighs any short term benefits of a "signing bonus," or "pay raise" in section 3 of the CBA.