Is meeting the NMB in preparations for negotiations the same as getting the NMB involved? I mean on January 2012 DALPA is not going to present openers before theyre presented to the company?

So really, is this getting the NMB involved in negotiations or getting a lay of the land like a SWA style ATC pizza party? Because in the end these are lawyers, theyre taught to say and write nothing in 500 words or more, what are they going to do but listen? And listening isn't involving, unless you want to explain more about what will go on?

Or is this just expressing a desire to fast track to binding arbitration? That makes me worried tha there is a desire to be relieved from blame ASAP.

See every football team meets with the referees prior to kickoff for an informal meeting about expectations and possible trick plays. it's not the same as arguing that the other team is playing dirty on that play, was offsides, that catch was incomplete and their cheerleaders are distracting the kicker so throw the flag please! None of that invovelement can be given until the authority is given.