IMHO no company is "going away".
Colgan is becoming like Value Jet: a company which is growing but has a bad name.
Mesaba has a good contract: not perfect, but pretty darn good.
Pinnacle is a good company strangled by management.
Put them together and you have:
Colasaba or Mesabagan: the biggest TP carrier in the nation
and
Pinasaba or Mesabacle: a quality jet regional
All together Pinacolsaba could be a strong contender against MidFrontChitLica for "mega regional" flying.... unless we get bogged down in inter company bickering. The reality of the integration is no matter what method is chosen, DOH, relative, or some combination thereof, the folks that will be "screwed" are looking at about two years difference for upgrade. While two years is not insignificant, over a thirty year career, it is fairly small.
We must focus on the goal: a good contract AND keeping the flying we have. Some folks (possibly myself included) will be screwed. Some folks will make out like bandits. And most folks will not be radically affected by the SLI.
We must keep our eye on the goal: one outstanding contract. Company X may have FOs that get screwed on the integration, but if they can make $35k/year in a Saab to start, are we really screwing them? Each of us must be objective, remove ourselves from the equation, and push for what is best for all 3000 pilots.
Remember, management is pushing for a contract (at least on the Colgan side). For some reason they want this to happen fast. Pinnacle gave the money to buy the Q's, but they were at a standstill on contract negotiations. Pinnacle pilots generated the money for the q's. Colgan has them and the mainlines seem to want them. Mesaba has a good TP contract. Everyone has something to bring to the table.
Not all of us will win big, but we call ALL WIN here. A fair integration WILL screw some people. That is a fact. But if we keep the screwing to a minimum, give the FNGs a livable wage, and compensate the lifers, we could have a contract that moves from industry "standard" to industry leading.
Work for the good of the industry, not just the good of oneself.