The now defunct UA/US merger proposal of 2000 probably would have been appoved if it was put forth in the last year or two.
Has the new US (LCC) laid anyone off as a result of the merger?
DOJ will approve this deal if it hinges on competition issues alone. The new US will still have plenty of competition from the other legacies and not-so-legacy carriers. If they do identify issues, Dougie and company will divest them (ala the Shuttle).