Parker Fires Back at Delta

Parker reiterated his belief that the Delta pilot contract wouldn't prevent a deal. "The pilot contract is a public document," he said. "We fully appreciate all the constraints that exist." Some contract provisions are triggered by layoffs; Parker said none are planned.

To comply with a condition setting a minimum number of flying hours for pilots, the schedule could be operated at "very padded levels," which would be costly but has already been factored into the US Airways cost estimates, he said.

Additionally, Parker said, if Delta is required to divest assets, the flying-hours requirement would decline.

Delta responded, clearly disagreeing with Parker's assessment. "Nothing we heard today explains away the fact that the US Airways proposal provides inferior value to our stand-alone plan, is structurally flawed, and raises overwhelming regulatory and labor issues that -- after a lengthy delay -- are likely to prevent the proposed merger from being completed," the company said in a statement.

US Airways fell 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $55.76, while Delta rose 7 cents, or 5.7%, to $1.25 on Thursday.

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