I read and understand the argument about the 13 year UAL pilot who had the opportunity to spend a year or two in the left seat and has had 13 years of longevity upset about being put in relative seniority against someone hired at CAL in 2005(me). I understand the argument about the career progression at the end if the UAL 1997 career and the widebody captain spots. If I was that person I'd mention the same things in an argument. My counter would be that us 2005 hires at CAL were holding 737 captain and in my case it would be about 30 years in the left seat vs whatever will play out with this merger. That is a big career earnings difference. While we lack in the widebody count currently, we have new widebody aircraft on order with delivery slots. That is growth and growth in the widebody fleet. You will benefit from all the 787's that will be arriving(at least 50 and probably closer to 100 over the next decade) even if they end up replacing some of the 767-300 like most think will happen down the road.
If we both stood alone, I can honestly say that my career progression would be a lot greater at CAL than it will be with the merger. I do feel as if the combined carrier will be more solid financially going forward than either would be alone. I'm willing to give up a little seniority to work for a true powerhouse on a worldwide scale with more job security(even if that job is in the right seat a decade longer than "expected"). I hope in the end we all accept the outcome of the SLI and move forward rather than do what US Airways has done. Hopefully the new contract will overcome what some may deem as a loss in the SLI.