How does merger seniority get handled?
02-12-2026 | 04:56 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2020
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In a world where 2 companies make the overwhelming majority of the industry profits, where Spirit is facing the very real threat of CH7, Frontier and JetBlue keep losing money, and Allegiant and Sun Country keep their head just above water by staying in their lane and avoiding going up against the big 4, does anyone here honestly think that the government (any administration) would allow United or Delta to merge with anyone?
02-12-2026 | 05:02 PM
#22
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 926
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From: B777 CA
In a world where 2 companies make the overwhelming majority of the industry profits, where Spirit is facing the very real threat of CH7, Frontier and JetBlue keep losing money, and Allegiant and Sun Country keep their head just above water by staying in their lane and avoiding going up against the big 4, does anyone here honestly think that the government (any administration) would allow United or Delta to merge with anyone?
The current administration, yes however with significant asset divestitures. That being said, it makes very little sense for United. The cost of doing so, and the pain clearly outweighs any long-term gain. United is getting most of the benefits of any merger via the marketing agreement (with very little cost or risk), and if JetBlue were ever to liquidate (not saying that’s gonna happen). United is positioned to capitalize on the acquisition of JetBlue assets.
02-12-2026 | 05:12 PM
#23
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At the H-Line
Joined: Sep 2025
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Ex CAL.
My two cents:
For every one of the approximately 12,000 UAL/CAL pilots at the time of the merger, you’d probably get 12,000 different answers.
Most CAL pilots didn’t want the merger, not that we had any choice.
My opinion was the first five years would absolutely suck but in the end it would be the absolute best long term future for all pilots - both sides. I think I was pretty much spot on.
Both sides will spend millions of dollars. The only ones that truly make out are the arbitrators, attorneys and paid experts.
It’s a several year nasty battle which has 99% chance it will untimely end up in binding arbitration after a few years of positioning by each side. The actual arbitration will take several months like a court type case - not being negotiated between both MEC’s or unions. After the arbitrators or arbitrator deliberate for several months (absolutely nothing happens fast in a merger) the order and award - new seniority list will be published.
When the merged SLI (new seniority list) comes out most will think they could have done better. All will know that pure internal growth and no merger always yields far better seniority results by a long shot.
Reality, Not that a JetBlue - United merger can’t happen. It’s far more likely in my opinion that JetBlue embarks on a massive international widebody expansion (not very likely), than actually merging with the United. But if it did happen, there would be major fences on the United side and most JetBlue pilots wouldn’t see a United flight deck for least a decade. The 2/3rd’s of United pilots that have been hired since the UAL/CAL merger have a far superior career expectations to every single JetBlue pilot. That’s a fact.
There simply is very real little reason for United to embark on a merger with JetBlue. Far too much risk/cost/pain vs any long term gains.
But like everybody else said, do your homework. Start with the Northwest - Republic merger in 1986 that created three types of new Northwest pilots. Red book (former NWA), green book (former Republic) and blue book (new hire NWA after the merger) and the 20 year fence on NWA widebodies to Republuc pilots..
In the short term mergers suck for everyone.
My two cents:
For every one of the approximately 12,000 UAL/CAL pilots at the time of the merger, you’d probably get 12,000 different answers.
Most CAL pilots didn’t want the merger, not that we had any choice.
My opinion was the first five years would absolutely suck but in the end it would be the absolute best long term future for all pilots - both sides. I think I was pretty much spot on.
Both sides will spend millions of dollars. The only ones that truly make out are the arbitrators, attorneys and paid experts.
It’s a several year nasty battle which has 99% chance it will untimely end up in binding arbitration after a few years of positioning by each side. The actual arbitration will take several months like a court type case - not being negotiated between both MEC’s or unions. After the arbitrators or arbitrator deliberate for several months (absolutely nothing happens fast in a merger) the order and award - new seniority list will be published.
When the merged SLI (new seniority list) comes out most will think they could have done better. All will know that pure internal growth and no merger always yields far better seniority results by a long shot.
Reality, Not that a JetBlue - United merger can’t happen. It’s far more likely in my opinion that JetBlue embarks on a massive international widebody expansion (not very likely), than actually merging with the United. But if it did happen, there would be major fences on the United side and most JetBlue pilots wouldn’t see a United flight deck for least a decade. The 2/3rd’s of United pilots that have been hired since the UAL/CAL merger have a far superior career expectations to every single JetBlue pilot. That’s a fact.
There simply is very real little reason for United to embark on a merger with JetBlue. Far too much risk/cost/pain vs any long term gains.
But like everybody else said, do your homework. Start with the Northwest - Republic merger in 1986 that created three types of new Northwest pilots. Red book (former NWA), green book (former Republic) and blue book (new hire NWA after the merger) and the 20 year fence on NWA widebodies to Republuc pilots..
In the short term mergers suck for everyone.
02-12-2026 | 06:01 PM
#24
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Joined: Jan 2024
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With the announcement of the point share with JetBlue, I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about mergers. Regardless if they hold any credibility, it had me curious, how do mergers typically get handled? How did the continental merger get handled? We’re both carriers Alpa? I understand, or at least I think I do, that the negotiating committees go back and forth, but what would you expect the outcome to be?
United and JetBlue are not equals. Most importantly, United has a massive intercontinental widebody operation. The most predictable part of a UA/JB merger would be fencing the JB pilots off widebodies somehow. The JB pilots likely would be some protections for 220, BOS, FLL which UA doesn't have. And a decent minority of pilots, in perception or reality, would get screwed and complain about it forever.
02-12-2026 | 09:03 PM
#25
Perennial Reserve
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 14,183
Likes: 238
Be careful what you wish for. Companies merge looking for “synergies” as well as economies of scale. Base closures aren’t unheard of, resulting in people being uprooted and potentially either moving or becoming commuters against their will.
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A lot of transplanted East Coast people bailed after the Virgin Alaska merger. And because Alaska wanted to be “proudly all Boeing” pretty much everyone from Virgin who didn’t bail ( and many who did) wound up having to get a 737 type.
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A lot of transplanted East Coast people bailed after the Virgin Alaska merger. And because Alaska wanted to be “proudly all Boeing” pretty much everyone from Virgin who didn’t bail ( and many who did) wound up having to get a 737 type.
02-13-2026 | 03:26 AM
#27
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 671
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From: B767 Captain
I’m over 6400 and was definitely here. And there were over 100 people below me after the merger. I’m talking about the most recent seniority list, maybe you’re referring to something different?
02-13-2026 | 04:56 AM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: 787
02-13-2026 | 05:45 AM
#29
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Joined: Sep 2020
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It seems you seek a non fiction account of events that took place, not conjecture, speculation or a diatribe.
Familiarize yourself with the ALPA Policy Manual specifically section 45.
Study each merger. TWA/AA
https://avweb.com/news/alpa-pays-53-...ex-twa-pilots/
Familiarize yourself with the ALPA Policy Manual specifically section 45.
Study each merger. TWA/AA
https://avweb.com/news/alpa-pays-53-...ex-twa-pilots/
02-13-2026 | 06:00 AM
#30
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 97
I don't believe I was implying it was. I was merely trying to provide examples of previous mergers in addition to familiarizing himself with the ALPA merger policy. Absolute no opinion or mistruths in my post.
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