These disputes have nothing to do with "announcing hiring". That's actually one of the bright spots we both agree on. These disputes have to do with trying to mix vastly different cultures and laying years of seniority on the line. As far as the carriers you mentioned, I would say SWA & Airtran would be as good an example as any of the culture shock of an airline merger. If I had to guess though I would say the coming AA/US/HP/TW tango is gonna make us look like BFF's over here.