The "screw job" comes from pre SLI expectations. If guys look at relative seniority and are able to keep the same QOL/base/airframe/seat/upgrade potential they had pre-merger, then you really can't hope for anything more than that.

It's when guy do the pecker-measuring pre-merger and thing they're going to "buy" some other airline, or because they're the bigger/better/badder airline so they should gain some kind of advantage from it, that's when the anger/disappointment come in full force.