Merger or no merger.
As of now the official plan is to let us (Braathens) continue as an independant company. It is common belief this is only to satisfy the politicians. In due time a merger is inevitable. Why should SAS keep paying two separate organizations who fly the same routes and the same type of aircraft? A lot of functions would be operating in paralell. No doubt there is money to be saved.
As for the comparison with Air Botnia, it is my impression that the AB pilots are underpaid and overworked. Which is not the case with Braathens (we're paid about 90% of SAS). So I believe there is little to be saved in that area by keeping the companies separate.
The discussion is fairly heated in both companies these days regarding seniority lists. From our point of view it seems our fellow pilots in SAS want our planes and our 175+ commander positions, but not the commanders. Whichever way this turns out somebody is not going to like the results. Which in turn will create an unpleasant working environment. This is why many of us have started looking for other possible emloyers.