That's the rub, it's the same DOJ that let UA/CO and SW/AT go through with hardly a question. I think UA had to give up a few slots in EWR. They even discount SWA as an effective competitor. Really? SWA not an effective competitor?

I expected US to have to give up some slots in DCA, but it really didn't make any sense. Parker was right, why take them from an airline that is serving smaller markets and give them to someone that will probably go to MCO? He might have made too a persuasive argument. Maybe the DOJ thought he was right, but they would have to do it anyway. Block the whole merger and US still serves all the smaller cities, no problem!

But, if it is really about competition, why shouldn't jetBlue have to give me slots in JFK if I want to start an airline? If it's not free market, why just level the field during mergers? Let's open all slots to the highest bidder, or more in keeping with this administration, just hand them out to the most deserving.

With this administration, who knows? But, i they have to give up slots they should be paid market rates for them.