As someone who has significance with RAH, let me interject some differences.
RAH started out as one company that became 3. There was always one pilot group. The sole addition was in the addition of the Shuttle America Certificate, which brought about 90 pilots into the group of about 1200 at the time. This is significantly different than acquiring a second airline intending to merge it into one, then, changing mid-course and desiring to maintain the separate certificates.
Even thought the RAH group is under one contract, that does not mean a unified pilot group. There are pilots from each company that won't speak because "grey is gay" (meaning the S5 pilots ID colors) and "red is dead" (CHQ ID) and alot of pilots at RW won't speak to anyone because a lot have a "holier-than-thou" attitude since they are J4J captains. Also, the way the contract is worded, and the IND FSDO's inability to read the 8400.10, it is far more difficult to transfer certificates than you think.
As someone who's operated under both circumstances, it matters not whether there are 2 independant airlines or 1 under an umbrealla. What really matters is that pilots look out for other pilots. In fighting is exactly what the management wants. The problems that exist now would not be any different than if a merger were to come to pass. There will still be fragmented groups. Even if there is one list, but still two certificates, inspite of what is being sent from the Pulpit in Purchase, you will be tied to one certificate or the other for a long, long time. The "seamless" transition does not exist yet (at least at RAH or MESA). I'm well studied in the subject matter from an academic side as well as personal experience.
Until both groups quit acting like school kids fighting over a pile of dirt, we can have one carrier, one certificate and one list for a long time before anything changes. What MGT is proposing is unique to the industry. It is unlike any previous merger, and it would be wise for us to debate on here all the angles, whether one list is the best or two lists with protected CBAs are best. Don't forget what we do WILL have many future impacts. Right now, I bet ATA-World-NorthAmerican MGT is watching what happens here so they can manipulate their groups.
There's a reason 49% Equity and 25% control was sold to DHL. Polar is a hedge fund proposal away from being sold. Don't forget the institutional investors don't give a rat's ass about "operational integrity" or anything else. They care about ROI. If some rich Harvard kids can make a case to buy if from AAWH, guess what's going to happen? They will buy it then "contract" services from AAWH to run the show