Originally Posted by Wiskey Driver

Can not discount that line of thinking, however since the east really never has had a case it would have been dismissed outright. Now many like think that the US 9th CIRCUIT gave a green light to usapa but in reality what they gave was the opportunity to either reach ripeness or settlement. Its really in the words of their decision with statements like "the final product may not play into the west's fears".

I think you also have to remember that the 9th never did rule on merit it was only ripeness which is a clear indication that a claim does exist but is not ready for adjudication. That brings us to the present and the current action in the federal courts. Ripeness can now be established based the on the crafting of the MOU and usapa's attempt to enter into an SLI without using the award. That in itself crosses the legal threshold as it shows a clear intent to bring harm to the disadvantaged pilots.

The DOJ with its case has once again breathed life into usapa so here we all sit for a min of another 6mos at the bottom and second to the bottom in terms of benefits. In the end usapa will lose and the price paid for even bringing usapa to life will amount to far more than AOL donations. Look at it like this, no matter what seat or aircraft you are on when you look at the airline in front of you on the taxiway and its the same class and craft ask yourself if that crew is making more than you! When you add that up across the entire airline AOL is but a drop in the ocean.

WD at AWA