Not certain if it is a competitive disadvantage. Sure if you look at crew costs they'll come up with pay and work rules. But you get merger synergies (not calling UCALs plan a merger btw), you stop funding someones profits, you stop being obligated to use airplanes you don't want anymore because of a contract with a contractor, you take control back and you prevent the creation of the next RAH.

The whipsaw, and the negative externalities from it, just bit airline managers and airline BOD's as much as it has bit pilots over the years.

We'll see if its enough to tighten scope.