I think a merger is likely to actually speed up the contract. And that's really only because they are going to do absolutely everything in their power to delay this contract as much as possible. And the RLA gives them immense power to do just that.

Regarding the contract cycle, it's a really tough spot we find ourselves in. We are badly out of cycle being dead last and way behind (again). We are so far behind I can see why someone would just say wait and see what the next round brings. We are almost at that point but I suspect the next Delta and Alaska contracts will take a few years and likely be in 2028 or 2029. I don't think we want to wait that long! So we are likely to forever be stuck at the end of the cycle and not fall back to the industries next cycle.

Just keep paying down debt and throwing money at your 401k.