*A sounds great from a marketing perspective. They just don't want us to confuse a good story with the facts. I cannot count how many times I have been unable to get BPs issued for downstream segments on all *A carriers on a single PNR. The *A structural overlay on the dissimilar airlines is a very thin veil, that is easily torn. However, I do foresee a tightening and standardization of procedures if the alliance continues to survive.