Sonny I appreciate your situation and yours in unique. You want to be in Houston and old United can't do that for you. For the rest of us, you are a new hire at Continental except that you retain your United pay and you get insurance. Beyond that you are a new hire and after the TA expires, all bets are off. At United you would be a 12 year employee, getting your benefits and pay raises etc based on that. Unless you live in Houston or Guam, it is a no brainer.