I understood that the choreography for the acquisition was years in the making and AA orchestrated a brilliant plan of shedding what they didn't want (we closed stations overseas before 01) TWA participated by perfectly timing the bank balance from no danger to a BK balance designed to force Congress into quickly stamping the AA offer 'to save TWA' . I remember in December, the month before the announcement, we were told we were getting some new uniform items, free, and there were some other unexpected improvements. I said to my husband "Wow, we must be doing well, they are throwing money around" Looking back, that was one of the ways we rapidly reduced our carefully watched budget to what was needed to get Congress to believe we were desperate. Remember also, the 'last chance to retire with lump sums' that ended Dec 31st, a week before the announcement? Another example of getting rid of hundreds of top, senior salaries.