B6 works in my opinion, because it won't kill the OneWorld alliance, or any of Alaska's Int'l "partners." They'll get the extra revenue that JB has on the East Coast, or JB gets the extra revenue on the W Coast. If this happens we're gonna need some mid con bases as well. I see Austin as one possibly. I would rather merge with B6, than be acquired/merged with WN. That's just my opinion. The pilots will fare better in an AS/B6 merger. I still have massive doubts this will happen, but it does look like it needs to for any kind of competitive strategy. I hope if it does, AS mgmt is GONE. Interesting times.