How would that help the situation when those airlines still have schedule obligations to fulfill themselves?
Not to mention any code sharing limitations in the contract until a merger is finalized and agreed upon by both unions...
Southwest has made comments in the recent past about not being interested in aquiring, and instead growing organically... If they really wanted a bandaid to tide them over for the year or so it takes to get the max's back in the air, they should buy a Sun Country or a Swift. Those airlines have the number of Airplanes to replace what Southwest is short, pilot groups that are starving for change (= likely a quicker merger/negotiations) and some ancillary benefits like gaining bases, experienced crews, etc. All the while minimizing any "non-organic growth."