United pilots oppose a potential combination with US Airways

United Airlines pilots are "enormously concerned" about a possible pairing with US Airways that they say would be extremely negative for United.

The United branch of the Air Line Pilots Association issued harsh criticism of the potential merger in a statement Tuesday. It comes as the companies continue negotiating toward a possible deal.

The group representing about 7,000 pilots of UAL Corp.-owned United cites the difficulties with pilot seniority integration at US Airways as only one reason for its concerns.

Pilots' union leader Steve Wallach says that while United has its own problems and issues, the problems of Arizona-based US Airways Group Inc. run even deeper. He says the group doesn't view a marriage with US Airways as "anything remotely resembling a solution."

Wallach sits on Chicago-based UAL's board of directors.