Ok, please don't jump down my throat. I have no affiliation with any airline and am only seeking a better understanding of the industry.

Outside of the union jobs when a company takes over another company by merger, out right purchase, hostile take over, etc. the purchasing company holds the cards. For instance, my Dad's company has been purchased and merged so many times I have no idea who he works for any more. He is a very senior guy in the maintenance department of a large pharmaceutical company. My Dad's not that old and the only reason he is senior is that during all the previous mergers, take overs, etc. they cut the top end of the staff. From my life's experience this is typical in corporate America.

Another example the merger of North West and Delta. Both companies have a training department. Both companies have CRM instructors. Now the two companies are one. There is no longer a need for two sets of CRM instructors. So who gets the boot? The company that was purchased North West? The purchasing company? The most senior, highest paid instructors?

Sorry for the long preface but my question is what protection is there for pilots of a company who is being purchased? Is it all up to the lawyers and arbitrators? In any other industry the reward goes to the conqourer in which that comany's workers are more or less safe from the chopping block. Are there any forms of protection?

Thanks,

Tiger