Even if there were no job reductions between a NWA/DAL merger, a DAL new hire today would still be integrating with a NWA work force where the junior most DOH pilot is 8/27/2001. Regardless of how an eventual integration is handled with slotting, fencing, shuffling, oija boards, pistols at 12 paces, "cage of death", arbitration, etc., DOH is part of the formula and there could be some relative loss of seniorty.
There are considerable numbers of furloghed pilots deferring/bypassing at both NWA and DAL. Thier seniority is protected and when they return they come ahead of you. OTOH the combined airline would be a force to be reckoned with, and you have a number and are on the property, which is still way better than being on the outside looking in.
The sooner you get hired and get bodies beneath you the better. Also consider that even if there is a merger announced, it could take close to a year to consumate, and another year or 2 to actually integrate the operations. The snapshot date used for integration is waaaay off in the future, and are you are getting relative seniority in the mean time.
Being a new hire anywhere has an element of risk, however unless you have something way better going, the upside favors going to work a DAL.
My point to the orginal post is DOH will be part formulations used. Your example above is valid, however it won't sit well either to have a 2007 hire at DAL in front of a 2001 hire at NWA because of a ratio or shuffle. This won't be fun or easy if it happens. Also don't forget that while DAL has more WB's, they are small WB's (767) compared to the number of large WB's (777/747/330), and in that case NW has a far larger percentage of WB to NB than DAL. I'd be happy to fence you guys off the 747/330/787 for 10yrs in exchange for the same on the767/777 :bomb: Regardless it will be a challenge to do it right without getting into a slugfest in the courts and where prostan isn't working double overtime once it's all said and done........
