Wouldn't the Nic potentially rearrange the merged U list differently than without it ? The arrangment of U pilots on the final list determines its weight (top heavy/bottom heavy) due to pervious relative seniority and age, BOTH of which affect retirements and advancement schedules, BOTH of which could improve or reduce a possible windfall for those junior on the West. The end result might be a shorter or longer fence for widebodies (career expectation) and possibly even narrowbody captain ratios. For the record, with my juniority, fences won't do much for me, so I have no personal agenda. By the time they fell, I'd still not likely be senior enough for a group 2 captains slot and widebody F/O slots in the most junior domiciles normally aren't fenced anyway. Many of the more senior long-time FO's at AA who've been watching the parade go by for upwards of 15 years would be the likely protectee's.