I can't keep up with what merger thread to put this under, so I am just replying here. My opinion is the AMR team would be smart to toss DOJ a bone or bone(s) and paint it like DOJ clearly was "in the right" and the bone tossing to DOJ was a result of "the validity of DOJ's position" blah blah. Then, merger approved.

I think it is important that Holder is the one speaking now, and not the other DOJ folks. This is symbolic.

All we seek is MERGER APPROVAL. Who cares about tossing them some slots. Long-term, 10, 20 years down the road, business plan, post-merger is what we care about. Who cares if it "creates the worlds largest airline" blah blah. Delta held/holds that title now, post-NWA merger: NWA-Delta: It?s a go for world's largest airline | Star Tribune

So it was "ok" then, but "wrong" now ? Etc ? In addition, we have UAL/CAL marriage. "Ok" then but "wrong" now.

Delta just announced huge profits, etc etc, dominance, look at my muscles, we are the biggest kid on the playground, etc. Nobody will bully us. Etc. The above reasons are why this merger is due an approval. Yes, some slots and dead lunchmeat will be tossed to the DOJ vultures, who will then fly away once their bellies are full. So what.

Merger has high probability of going thru folks.