JP,
You do realize that the 747-400 pays less than the 777 and 767-400 at Delta and the 747-200 pays just a little more than our straight 767's. So you think guys will want up to the great white North for a paycut? Boy you must have big jet syndrome.
Any merger will necesitate a new joint contract. Pay rates will go up on all equipment, more so on the NWA equipment as they come up to parity and then the joint contract takes us all up beyond that.
That being said, while it is true that NWA has 16 B747-400s, that ought to be put in context. The possible merger will encompass over 800 airframes, not just 16 B747-400s.
I'm confident that a reasonable integration methodolgy can be reached between the two MECs in the event of a merger. I'm also confident that if there is a merger the DAL/NWA MECs will redefine the way mergers and integrations are conducted.