Blaming the RAH guys for taking the Midwest flying is like saying Ford Motor Company employees stole all the blacksmith jobs.

The Midwest death spiral started years before. RAH management just through some gasoline on the wreckage on what was once a great airline, and walk away with some of the parts left behind. The airline was DOA before BB ever showed up, in was just on life support. All the RAH pilots did was show up for work as they were contractually bound to do. As did the Midwest pilots. Neither illegally struck and neither had a mass exodus to avoid the wreckage.

Honestly -- what does the Midwest pilot group think the RAH pilot group should have done. Performed an illegal strike, quit their job, walked off the line without notice? The Midwest pilots had exactly the same options and they showed up for work every day until the there was no more assigned flying, as they were contractually bound to do. However, now they blame the RAH pilots for doing the same thing they did. Unfortunately for both groups, it appears the RAH folks will likely face the same fate in the near future.

I truly believe the RAH death spiral has started. My prediction is that BB and company will be gone in less than three years, with furloughs starting by no later than January 2012. RAH FO's are bailing at the rate of 2% per month. If this holds, 25% will be gone in a year. Most of them will not see a raise until the IBT gets a new contract signed and they are not willing to wait around to see if and when that will happen. No company can survive long term with such a disenchanted employee group, with so little hope.