Several weeks ago CAL announced that it was not interested in a merger. Fast forward to today, and it seems that it may not be such a bad idea in the face of industry consolidation.

Hang on ladies and gentlemen, it's going to be a wild ride.


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NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc. <CAL.N>, concerned about being dwarfed by larger competitors, would consider a merger if necessary to maintain its competitiveness, its chief executive said.


"If the landscape of the U.S. airline industry does indeed change, we'll do what we need to do to act in the best interests of you (employees), our customers, our shareholders and the communities we serve," Chief Executive Larry Kellner said in a recorded message to employees on Friday.