While correct it's not complete as the rules were enforced a bit differently then. Delta announced the purchase of Western September 9, 1986. Western shareholders got the right to $6.25 plus a fractional share of Delta stock for each share of Western. Stockholder approval came December 17, 1986. There were court challenges that lasted all the way up to corporate closure, which was April 1, 1987. After that date, all hiring was done by Delta.

Compare that to the Delta-NWA timeline. Announced April 14, 2008, stockholder approval September 25, 2008, and DCC in the 4th quarter. SOC is expected to take another 12-18 months.