US Next Step if DL Merger Fails?

[robbedagain]

but what is to stop parker from ordering new planes or getting other planes to do new places?

 

[brokenwrench]

My opinion for what it is worth. I hope I am wrong on a couple of points, here goes.

Delta goes stand-alone after Bethune convinces the creditors that there is more value/less risk in Delta going it alone and merging with NW later. To put the creditors doubts about this at ease the DL BOD names Bethune Chairman of the Board.

US discovers that while they spent all this time and energy on a merger that did not go thru they now have a plate full of labor problems on the home front.

DL & NW merge in late 07 early 08.
UA & CO follow.
US orders a boat load of airbus wide bodies to grow their Atlantic routes on their own (what a concept). They also put in a bid for Alaska but are out bid by AA.

All the "experts" that once sang Doug's praises now criticize him for not taking care of his own before waste ting all this time and energy on a merger that did not happen.

Obviously it was Grinstein and not Bethune who did the convincing to the creditors.
Perhaps the US and AA bidding war for AK is still to come.

Gotta say I got it pretty dang close!!