I think merger mania has seriously been quelled with this DOJ lawsuit against AMR/LCC. I believe it will go through, but there will be some divestiture because the politicos want to ensure there is "enough" competition in the skies over America. Maybe in the long run it is a good thing for us since a duopoly... (what is the version of -opoly when there are 3?... Ahh nevermind, let's call it manage-a-trois) would result in more justification for cabotage. And the last thing we need is a state funded rag head airline flying between JFK and LAX..... (And I don't have to be PC either, they will be handed our jobs if cabotage becomes a reality, and you better bet that Chuck Shumer would like nothing more..... so if that offends you ( not you Carl) then KMA)

WRT an AK merger, if we had longevity based pay, I would even be willing to give them DOH in a merger. It is a unique case however, but it would work there because they have a significant number of pilots that drive to work to fly the 737. Why would they commute halfway across the country to fly the 747 if their pay is the same?? Unless they have a woody for that airplane, (and believe it or not, not everybody does) why would they enter a commuting world? I digress.