I don't think AMR is too interested in inheriting the east pilots. Considering their actions so far, any seniority merge over at AA would just start a new disaster in a new place. Not even close to being worth the trouble.

Now ASSETS of the east operation, maybe, but not employees.

It seems perhaps the most likely outcome (if UAL doesn't flop first), is a fire sale at U. Many carriers would be interested in various assets and then they can hire (read choose) who they want employee wise, but first bring back any furloughed employees that carrier may have.

Maybe mergers are the "old" way of doing things and asset acquisition will be the way of the future and the industries preferred method of consolidation.