Mike-
It'd be my pleasure to buy you a beer but I'm a Delta guy. That's why I suggested you talk to Carl if you wanted to concentrate on specifics of NWA/Republic from 1986. I just know the basic facts of that merger and that's about it. Carl or another Northwest guy could give you a lot more details and history and what its been like to work under the arbitrator's order.

I'll tell you this - I think the Delta and Northwest pilots will come together this summer and solve this problem. This and other Internet forums may make it sound like there's no hope but the truth of the matter is most of this stuff is posturing to get the advantage in the end game. Its my understanding the two negotiating committees weren't really that far apart when talks broke down. The line pilots at both airlines want this thing solved amicably. There's a lot of money to be made with this combination of airlines. Very little domestic overlap, so there's not much downside risk for junior pilots worried about their jobs and huge international synergies which have the potential to add a large number of the big jets we all want to fly. Truly the world's first global airline. Both pilot groups will benefit and we know it.

Its just my guess but I don't think your listeners in Minnesota need to worry about any significant economic disruptions as a result of this deal. The CEO's desk and a handful of the high-level bean counters might be moving to Atlanta but not much is gonna change at the MSP airport. In fact you will most likely see some growth and more jobs as a result of this.