I think Bob Crandall is still loyal to AA management and my bet says he has been tasked to assist them in retaining control. In the opinion of some, a certain captain who posts a blog is also suspected of acting directly on behalf of current management.
What better way to flip pilots out regarding a merger then bring up draconian seniority issues ?
If current managment wanted to convince most of the pilots a stand alone plan is better than a merge for them, all they would have to do (or have done) is offer a competitive contract and then produce a believable and viable business plan. They've done neither. Horton himself has said he's not adverse to a merger, he just wants to do it with current management in control and that means after Chapter 11 exit which is best to maximize HIS personal profit. The seniority issue will be in no different a place should it occur after Chapter 11 exit as before, it's just one management team will benefit more.
Either way, the AA pilots are in the same boat in a merger. If a merger is likely to happen anyway, I'd prefer it to occur while still in Chapter 11 which provides a better chance at improving our contract and at the same times DOESN'T reward those (again) for screwing the pilots over ad nauseum.