As mentioned, there are a multitude of scope and coordination issues. This is actually something of a 'non-event', and is a normal relationship that is developed between the unions of alliances.

When the alliance between NWA and KLM first developed, the pilot unions of the two companies worked together to ensure there were 'protections' for both groups. The result of that was that on any given schedule, there were 'x' number of NWA flights across the Atlantic, and 'y' amount of KLM. Anytime KLM leaves a city (MEM for instance), NWA inherits that city, and KLM inherits a NWA city (IAD I believe was the swap in the MEM case). KLM picks up a DTW flight.....NWA picks up a EWR flight that KLM operated, etc. The coordination between the pilot groups ensured that although the mix of flying changed, the total amount 'shared' between the groups was relatively constant.

The same will go for the CAL/UAL alliance. Pilot groups will work together to protect the United guys on their Dulles flying, and the CAL group will work to protect the Newark flying. Certainly their work will be much more detailed (Pacific, West Coast, IAH, ORD, DEN, etc.), but it's just an example of what the two groups will be working on as they 'coordinate' their efforts.

DRW