A big step forward for the merger of AirTran and Southwest Airlines.

Pilots for both say they've reached an agreement on merging their all-important seniority lists. That list determines which pilot flies when and where. The more senior the pilot -- the more he or she can pick and choose.

Aviation consultant George Hamlin tells WSB other airline mergers have been stuck on this issue. But that's not the case here.

"They want it to work and that includes not inconveniencing the traveling public," said Hamlin.

Hamlin says the agreement on pilot seniority means the merger can move along on -- or even ahead -- of schedule. Southwest should be operating in Atlanta sometime early next year.

"It bodes very well. The fact that it has happened promptly is a very good sign," said Hamlin. “But Southwest is well managed. They will proceed deliberately.”

Pilot seniority negations have not gone over so well with the US Air-America West merger. Hamlin points out pilots in that merger have actually filed a lawsuit over seniority issues, six years after the merger.