Actually, I think the merger will happen.... Eventually.

The harder they push back on the idea of this merger, the more likely it becomes.

In the past, with every other merger rumor, management hasn't cared. Zero interest from management. Now, because of a possible United merger rumor, we get emailed at 7pm on a Sunday night from a VP level employee? If this rumor didn't have a level of truth to it, they just would let the rumor fester and eventually burn itself out.

That said, the merger is likely in some level of discussion, likely there are details to be worked out, and the deal may still fall through.