Occam:
We were, and are, told that the option has been removed by other events. We were also told this was not a negotiation, this was a deal.
Look at the contrast in rumors. Internally, Delta's senior leadership (who would keep their jobs) are saying the stand alone plan is a better option and fuel prices mean any deal with NWA would have to be completely re-evaluated. Crew room rumors started by flight operations management, fleet and network management, involves a bunch more 777-200LR jets. Thus far, Delta's objective decisions on hiring and routes match these subjective rumors.
On the NWA side, all we hear about is the merger's inevitability.
I'm not calling you a liar, but somebody somewhere is completely failing to manage expectations and that could very well be a fatal political mistake.
There have been some off hand rumors of buying parts of NWA, but I dismissed those comments. Are you hearing that on the NWA side?
I'll admit the Delta BOD could over ride Delta's leadership, but ALPA's got a person on the board and of course Anderson is there. My point is if what you write is true, many people have painted themselves in a corner and the political fall out would be nasty for not only for the Delta Reps, but also senior management.
I genuinely disagree with you about the merger's inevitability. I'm not saying you are wrong, but I simply do not see how it can be forced by the minority who's management will not be the leadership in the combined entity. Perhaps you are right and I am a fool for believing the press, my reps, and management who are held accountable, over nameless web board rumor. But you are very convinced, and convincing.... Thank you for the information in any event.