The Delta / NWA merger was the first instance of future attrition and longevity being used as an equity for what had been pretty straightforward category status (you came out with what you had going in). These wild cards are now the status quo.

This new standard is somewhat less predictable because, lets face it, we are working longer than anyone expected us to 10 years ago. We are healthier and not jumping off into an ocean of worry free defined benefit pension money.

Where I think this new standard really screws us is if we ever decide to restore our union's definition of "alter ego" and insist on recovery of our outsourced flying. 15 years ago a merger with a regional would be a staple. Now the result is a whole lot less certain.