As I wrote in "I Hear the Train a "C"omin' " below, I think we can say I see the train and it's a comin'.

With the recent speculation about what the catalysts might in triggering a consolidation of the industry, clearly high oil prices are. Jeff Bailey of the New York Times writes in the past hour about a letter sent to each United and Delta from Pardus Capital Management proposing a stock for stock swap combining the two carriers click here. The AP reports that the two carriers have been in discussions click here. Shares in each United and Delta are up on the news.

Note: William Swelbar is a shareholder in United Airlines.