Operating a second whipsaw carrier stops making sense if the second carrier is being paid the same as the 'big' airline. The company has no reason to give you a good contract- they'd rather just merge you or make you go away if they actually have to take care of you. Think of all the absurd inefficiencies that come from running two airlines to do one job. You guys have got a long fight ahead of you, I wish you the best and definitely hope you start exploring 1224.