Continental and United trying to elope without having to get a marriage license.

From CNBC:

"United Airlines and Continental Airlines are talking about forming an alliance to gain some benefits of working together without going through a merger, which Continental rejected last month, a person close to the talks said Wednesday.

United is still pushing ahead with negotiations aimed at a combination with US Airways Group but wouldn't pursue both deals, said the person, who wasn't authorized to speak about the matter and requested anonymity. "