^ :D ^ ROFL I don't know why I found this so funny, Elke. It's just... said so perfectly!

I, too, shall sit back with my popcorn and Diet Coke and watch the derailment on CNN International (insert audio of James Earl Jones' voice), slightly detached, slightly bemused, and REALLY PISSED if CO becomes UA. Ain't gonna happen.

I'd be more upset about a merger of the CO and UA FT forums than I would be about the actual merger of CO and UA.

Indeed, the thought chills my gut.

Perhaps it could be managed like the FlyingBlue forum...a main forum for the great unwashed masses, with cordoned-off areas where each forum group can sulk in its own respective corner ;)

If CO buys UA, I think the CO forum should get to dictate the terms of the new forum :p

I'll be going into hiding now.

Same feelings here too.

Don't get me wrong -- I enjoy both the UA and CO forums...but I do think they each have their own unique flavor - something that may be lost if a total integration occurs.

If the unthinkable should come to pass, I like the Otter's suggestion: make the current UA and CO forums child ones of the CO+UA one.

I think this is increasingly unlikely. Given the news today that Delta has secured $2.5 B in bankruptcy exit financing, along with US's announcement that they will not pursue DL if the Atlanta based carrier emerges from bankruptcy, I think the likelihood of a US/DL deal took a sharp turn downward today. With no DL/US deal, a CO/UA hookup is much less likely.

Marriage
 

For now, perhaps. But consolidation is inevitable... so if DL and US don't marry, another two carriers will. I think the question about a CO/UA hook-up isn't if but when.

Split personality
 

I feel a bit like that old comic book character (was it in Superman?) that was completely split down the middle. Half Good, half bad. Half white, half black (visibly), even his clothes and shoes were different on each side.

I had 100k miles on both UA and CO last year making me Platinum and 1k with miles to spare. I live in Houston. All domestic flights on CO, with most Europe flights. UA is for Asia, Pacific Rim and Middle East.

So many differences, it was disorienting for a while. Each airline had some great points and some not so great.

If you look on one of the other threads, you will see my luggage tags are two-sided. Platinum on one side, 1K on the other. That is what I feel like.

My personality and mind set have to actually adapt each time I change.

I would actually love to see a consolidation, just to make it easier for me to fly on only one carrier.

Oh, and for alliances? Star has Thai, Singapore, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand and others. I am no fan of Air France. Put me down for Star anytime!

The implementation, my friends, will be interesting. If they pick the best of both, it will be outstanding. The worst of both and I might have to start taking the train. At least from Houston, there will be no alternatives.

Agree! 1P UA (International), Silver CO (Domestic) here.