Originally Posted by PCL_128

The President could just as easily ask the opposite question of ALPA: "I do you guys a favor by putting the most pro-labor NMB in recent history in place, and you thank me by trying to go on strike just months before my re-election?"

Look at it from his perspective. He's trying to get re-elected to another 4-year term, and all he really needs is a few months of time to get it done without any major unrest that the Republicans can use against him. A major airline strike right before the election would doom his campaign.