Here is a question... if the company doesn't put out it's opener, assuming that opener isn't a poke in the eye, why would we negotiate in public with our own demands?

I recently had an interesting discussion with a rep about this, and about how we put out our C2K opener. He reminded me we put out ours only after the company put up something obscene and ridiculous.

As I recall, we made $1.8 billion in 2008, the most for any airline ever at that time, and the company's term-sheet looked ridiculous, and insulting. It galvanized the group, and resulted in a strong strike vote.

Personally, I was sure we would publish our opener. My reps are asking for input, but made a good point recently: if you're releasing it, you're generally trying to support your negotiating goals, make some sort of an impact. Not satisfy curiosity.

So let's say we put out what we want on day 1 of the amendable date.

Then what?

In effect, you've announced the end of constructive engagement, and told Moak to stick it, with his boot-licking attitude, and we're done talking. This is what we want, and we know we deserve it. We're going to do it the old fashion way.

Then what?

Then, nothing. Sound of crickets. Don't bother winding your watch, because this one is going to take a calendar. Like a Mayan calendar, where the world ends in 2012. We can then invite our friends at uCAL and LCC, and have ourselves a barbecue, compare notes. We'll need chicken, because it's cheaper, and maybe a few fourties. They still make Old Milwaukee?

I guess I do want to see the opener, but I also want to see it for a reason, and for some purpose. If it comes out immediately, it tells me the company isn't even close, and it tells me RA is playing defense. And defense under the RLA is the easiest game to play.