Originally Posted by
YdidIChosePilot
Managment of a legacy that has 17k+ pilot group doesnt really care about a 3k pilot group being merged into their 17k pilot group, that wont even be noticable. ALPA carriers can't staple if they merge anyway. The main goal of management would be to get planes and have them staffed and if a merger for the "right price" to prevent a bidding war for pieces might actually be beneficial. But, this is hypothetical... i dont believe it will happen. My guess is Chapt 11, reorganize, change business model for more premium offerings, maybe leave the ULCC entirely and come out the other end a different type of airline.
If there was a purchase and merger, the seniority list merger would likely be with an owned regional, not the mainline carrier. It would be much, much cheaper this way. Why put pilots on the list at higher pay levels when Delta can buy them and merge them with Endeavor, or AA with Envoy. Most pilots would not take it and leave, which would be fine. No way a legacy airline would ever merge senioirty lists again. It is massively expensive for the parent airline to do this.
There are plenty of street hire pilots available (or there will be soon enough) that will start at year 1 pay. In a purchase, pilots are not a benefit, but rather a liability. They purchase gate space/slots, airplanes, engines, etc... They don't care about employees.