The only problem is that most of the top of the list is probably not going to go to NWA and start at the bottom. Why would they? I think the estimates going around for the senior guys is somewhere in the 10-20 year range to better their senior pay at Mesaba. Throw that in the mix with trading good schedules for initially bad ones, topped off with the comfort of familiarity at Mesaba, and you've got a recipe for lifers. Furthermore, I don't think anyone really would feel safe about job security at NWA until a much brighter picture gets painted over there.

Having said all of that, I'm fairly junior at Mesaba, and would be happy to give it a chance over at the mothership.