My understanding is that a successful single-carrier petition will result in a representational election which will then lead to negotiations for a single CBA. No merge of the companies or lists is required but once a single CBA is in place there is little incentive to keeping the airlines seperate and many potential corporate efficiencies that can be realized with a merge.

Is that not the case?

As far as home basing... It is very nice. It's not just the flights but hotels and the lack of stress. For the 3-1/2 years I was at ATI (inclusive of two furloughs, BTW) my only responsibility was to drive the ten miles to my local airport in time for the airline's passenger check in time. If I did that much then any delays were crew scheduling's problem, not mine. If I was anywhere other than home then I was provided with a hotel room.

I have no idea what home basing is worth. It certainly isn't worth the pay difference between the current ATI and ABX contracts. If it could be done right, with everything else being equal, it could be a good deal, though, as the "benefits" from the home basing expenses aren't taxable income as would be any increase in pay in lieu of home basing and the company isn't paying their half of the payroll taxes on them, either.