Senate Skeptical of Airline Deals

Meanwhile, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said former TWA employees suffered in the 2001 merger with AMR's(AMR Quote - Cramer on AMR - Stock Picks) American Airlines. She said many former TWA flight attendants are over 55, haven't found new jobs and have been forced to rely on retirement funds or charity.

"I have a great deal of angst over what has happened to the former TWA employees," said McCaskill.

Parker said there would be little in common between the Delta/US Airways merger and the TWA/American merger. The latter took place before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, a slowing business cycle and the rise of low-fare carriers led to 155,000 industry layoffs.

"I do not believe it's a parallel situation," he said. "Our view is that by putting these two companies together, we make them stronger." He reiterated that a merger wouldn't lead to the layoffs of any front-line employees.

Grinstein noted that when American executives said they would provide for TWA employees, "I am sure [they] meant every word. I am sure they were as committed to it as Mr. Parker is. But it's a volatile industry."

Additionally, Robert Roach, general vice president of the International Association of Machinists union, said aspects of the 2005 merger between America West Airlines and the former US Airways, including integrating labor groups, haven't been completed.