This merger is a huge coup for Bronner and Lakefield. If/when it is finalized, I think they both deserve lots of credit for keeping US around and positioning them for this merger. This time last year, few people were giving US a chance to survive the year. It's clear the new US will be around for quite a while.

I also think deelmakur deserves credit for his uncanny prescience in predicting this merger (or one like it). I'm eager to read his reaction.

ITrade probably has the longest track record of campaigning for this particular merger ^ He's had a route map for it for several years now.

Bronner ... Bronner ...

Isn't he the guy we were all calling an idiot, oh, two or three years ago? :)

Bronner ... Bronner ...

Isn't he the guy we were all calling an idiot, oh, two or three years ago? :)

RSA has lost their entire $245M investment in the airline. Maybe they made it back on ancillary income, side agreements or consulting fees.

Bronner has done many things well in his career. Overseeing the running the airline was not one of them. Bringing jobs to Mobile for aircraft maintenance was positive for his constituents. Allowing the airline to remain in business by virtue of a sale to AWA is the best result to date for the rest of us.

The weakest part of his performance was when he was in the public eye. The Dave and Dave combo was rather embarassing for any corporate image. Fortunately, people realized that those two individuals did not fly the airplanes or were responsible for their safety.