It's indicative of American society in general. Everyone wants a quick fix that requires the minimum of effort or responsibility on their part. It's like when someone (and according to my doctor, this attitude is pervasive) goes to the Dr., is told "you have the flu" (for which there is no medication other than let it run its course), and they demand some medication to cure it.
Yes, I know there is Tamiflu and other flu medications today, but they do not "cure" the flu. They just shorten it's duration.
If this merger goes through, you can bet the rent money that there will be layoffs. The "new" American will be only slightly larger than DL or UA as far as route system, a/c, etc, but will have approx. 30,000 more employees (between 100,000 and 110,000 active) than either DL or UA (both have approx. 70,000 active). There is no way to compete financially if your payroll is almost
50% larger to put the same number of a/c and revenue seats in the air.