United has no wholly owned regional carriers. If the merger does happen, I see PSA and Piedmont prospering. PSA and Piedmont operate at far less expense than other companies like Republic or AWAC. That's why Parker wants us to fly more. It makes more sense from a financial standpoint. If the merger occurs, why would the new company want to get rid of it's biggest money makers and pay a different company more to do the same job?

But, back to the original thread. I have heard talk this week of US Airways being the name of the new company if the merger occurs. This would mean that Parker would remain the CEO. Since Parker believes so much in his wholly owneds, then that might have scared AWAC into selling their shares. Maybe not the case, but a plausible scenario.