It really does become a long term question. If you want to be a Hawaiian 330 pilot, is it better to focus on getting hired at HAL or SWA?
Nice try Wave! But I'll bite....if your Hail Mary prediction did come true, and SWA lost the plot of what made them successful (LCC 737 flying) and tried to merge with HA, the SWA pilots would be fenced out of the widebody flying for a long time. The Judge has to consider what each airline brings to the table as far as career expectations. New hires at HA can go to the widebodies, SWA has zero career expectations there. You would effectively and legally be fenced out for a long time. As you guys trickled over, if you brought the attitude that SWA is famous for (you should be happy to merge with us!!!) you would find Hawaii a very unfriendly place.