This forum is quickly dissolving into "my crank's bigger than yours " and similar mindless acrimony. It will become a worthless pi$$ing medium if we let it.

It doesn't matter that UAL had a gazillion widebodies and 10,000+ pilots at one time. It doesn't matter that CAL was a successful and growing international entity with quick upgrades, younger hot FAs, etc etc. Those topics are fairly subjective and will be dealt with in the JSLI by our MECs and our hired guns. Once we get an industry leading contract we can resume polishing our helmets and pontificating about the good old days over beers while on layovers.

None of us can do anything about this merger, it's done. The camel has already left a large fetid steamer in the tent.

In the interim I submit that we would all be better served if the level of discourse was elevated and we keep the dialog centered on what's important to all of us collectively and what gets us the contract we deserve ($$$). A contract which gets all of our brothers back on the property and keeps our flying in house. Let's pay attention to what is important to ALL of us. It sounds dorky and sophomoric, but we're now all UNITED pilots irrespective of what trajectory we thought we had at date of hire.

The "innernets" has provided us with a phenomenal device to disseminate information and to share views and ideas. But if we have to slog through bushels of crap to find the useful tidbits than this forum is worthless and will further divide us and diminish our strength.

Our enemy is management which gives our flying away, and keeps us in servitude. Our enemy is Delta, AMR, USAirways etc. The enemy is the Death Star Alliance.

We are at a crucial point in airline labor history. Information, awareness and solidarity will serve us well. Anything less will only serve our enemies.