Although this sounds good in concept, as history has shown, the reality will be quite different. First, once the Negotiating Committee reaches a Tentative Agreement with the Company, it is too late! Once the MEC Administration (through the NegCom) has agreed with the Company...it will be delivered to the LEC Reps for a vote. Our Reps may galantly fight with the MEC leadership with the best of intentions, but ultimately, the Reps will be strong armed* into ratifying what has already been agreed to in the TA. Now there might be a few hold out's (who will be forever labelled "radicals'), but it will ultimately be ratified by the MEC.

Negotiating 101: Never send a TA back...the NegCom maintains that doing so destroys their credibility. (Remember the NegCom is all-knowing, so they will only agree to the TA when they believe they have squeezed the Company for everything possible, from a gentlemen's perspective.) Some may remember this 'first rule of negotiation' was seemingly violated in C2K. The threat of a strike was so great, the NegCom did go back to the Company for more, however, they added only a few (5?) low value items...it seemed more of a token attempt at renegotiation and strong arming the Company, to appease the angry pilots.

Once the POS TA is passed on to the pilots, the sell job begins: We - the pilots - MUST vote yes or else... (insert apocalyptic scenario). In C2k we were told we'd lose everything - something like: a grossly inferior contract would be imposed as punishment and we would lose all work rules and retro pay). We never did strike - and we won't this time.* (ALPA will never allow it under Moak, who clearly has higher personal career aspirations than ALPA National; read: cooperation).

So again, once something is TA'd by the NegCom, even a TA containing scope concessions...you will be voting on it. Unfortunately by then, the first rule of negotiating is shown to be true. Because...basically the union leadership has already shown their hand to the Company as to what they are willing to agree on. Even if the pilots turn it down and a strike threatens (though it hasn't/won't)...any improvements will be breadcrumbs at that point.

Those here who say scope is a definite no vote for them, I understand...it makes us feel good in the near time...but enjoy it while you can. Because when it comes to the MEC/ALPA National coordinated sell job, our voices will be drowned out. Scope loss has been an issue here for two decades and each contract erodes it more...unfortunately, so too will this contract because there will be just enough guys who buy what is being sold. The sell job will always cloud the judgment of just enough that a simple UP/DOWN vote is not so easy for a majority.

Remember, once it becomes a TA...UNFORTUNATELY, it is too late!

* Note to ACL: before you discount what I've written and say I don't give the LEC Reps enough credit... please respectfully reserve judgment until you directly experience a few section 6 negotiations on this property as a Delta pilot.