Tomorrow (Wednesday 2/20) is going to be very interesting.

Hopefully this will set off a chain of consolidation that will strengthen the airline industry over the long term.

Fewer airlines means less competition
Less competition makes it easier to raise fares
Raising fares means for revenue
More revenue means more profit
More profit means a more stable company
A more stable company making more profits is good for pilots.

Mergers may only sting short term. Long term, they should be good for the industry.