I don't know why everyone is putting so much emphasis on the opener.
I still think its even money that the union and management will agree to not even publish detailed "openers". As long as we're still operating under this "constructive engagement" thing there's not much to be gained by staking out extreme positions for public consumption at the start of negotiations. All that does is generate animosity.

Speculation:
Contrary to the popular consensus on the various web forums, I think its possible that the absence of militant rhetoric coming from our union is not necessarily a sign of weakness or any effort to manage expectations but may instead be a deliberate effort to see if all this Moak-inspired new age labor relations will work. They may be preparing to test management's sincerity in living up to the spirit of the Recovery Compact they signed.

The keyboard warriors, myself included, have been going on the assumption that there has to be a full scale battle. That a decent contract is not going to be possible until we're all out there marching in front of the airport, inflating the rat and burning scrap lumber in 55 gallon drums.
DALPA might be trying to break that paradigm. They've been at it for 5 years now. What makes us think they don't intend to continue it now that it really counts and test it right through the first few bargaining sessions? What if a low key approach leads to a good contract on or before the amendable date without all the drama? Is that unacceptable? Wouldn't that actually be preferable? Time value of money and all that.

The AA pilots tried the big opener with the radical rhetoric and the inflammatory attacks on their management. The result was less than spectacular. The NMB stiff-armed them and they have been forced to basically start over. Meanwhile, years go by. A politically savvy, well prepared, calm business-like approach might be worth a try.

Its ultimately gonna be up to Anderson. We can always shift tactics and pull out the torches and pitchforks if management refuses to pay us what we deserve and this thing drags into 2013.

I'm growing weary of the unsubstantiated claims that somebody's friend's brother overheard an unnamed ALPA rep at the 31 Flavors saying we can't get big gains in this contract. I'm not buying it.
We elected these guys, they know damn well we expect to be paid, and I think we're going to have to let them try it their way. And if you don't trust them and you think they're planning to sell us out then I've only got 2 words: Membership Ratification.

Sorry for the long rant. The football game got boring.

I'm an optimist I guess. (but I do have my pitchfork in the garage)