Most optimists (including myself) will freely admit to being optimists. Most pessimists will not admit to being pessimists, and will claim to be "realists" ... thus proving the only thing they aren't pessimistic about is their pessimism!

Life is too short to go around expecting the worst all the time. I'm quite optimistic the merger will happen, but if it doesn't, I still have a job I enjoy at a profitable airline, and more importantly, my wife and kids are still waiting when I walk in the door after every trip. I'll drink to that ...