You must run in different circles than I. A majority of the people I talk to, both Delta and NWA, think that a merger is probably in the best interest of both companies. My guess is that it is the senior pilots at both Delta and Northwest are the ones against this merger because they are afraid of the unknown (ie. where their seniority will end up in the new company). Being a relatively new hire at Delta, I think a merger will be in the best interest of the company in the long term. The opportunities for all of us in a 'global' airline will be a benefit for all of us.

It would have been better if the MEC's could have come to an agreement beforehand, but maybe they are stuck in the old paradigm of waiting until the merger is official before they realize they better work something out (or go to court over it). Hopefully they can get together without arbitration because it looks like something is coming soon!