The Comair and Mesaba employees are not "being kept in the dark". There is a link on their respective home pages to the Regional Elite web site, which is updated everytime a new release is made. OPen enrollment for med is this week. I too have spoken to Comair and heard them complain that they do not know what is going on- because they won't take the time to go on their own website and look. Sadly, some of them couldnt even sign on because they couldnt remember their sign ins or passwords.
I can't believe the number that didnt even have a clue about what the ground handling "merger" was....they still think that they are going to be working for OH but with a new name. All in all, the transistion to a ground handling company is not going to be as bad as it could have. The med benefits for Mesaba will be slightly better and for Comair slightly worse (I think medical costs will be 20% employee -80%company where OH is now 10%-90% and Mesaba is now 25%? not sure)
Flight benefits remained (with bud passes and zed fares) which was surprising for a full ground handling company. Not sure about PTO. Because the new company is made up of Mesaba and Comair leaders I think you will see very similar benefits to what they already had. Starting pay will be adjusted regionally and about the same as what both companies start at now, topping out around 6 years. Bad thing is that they are actively discouraging any attempt at employees joining a union.