RA is extremely smart. And he's extremely adept at playing us. On some level, I'm sure he does value a less confrontational relationship. And why not? He's getting exactly--damn near everything-- he wants.

Bar, we're being played for complete fools. There is no way around it. Record profits, and we get 4833 with productivity and profit sharing giveaways. Totally unsat. We were manipulated into the deal when 50-seaters were going and 717s were coming, regardless of the vote. And it was "our" own "union" who led the sales job. Embarrassing.

If RA's motives are so pure, why does he need the union-buster on staff? Why did he instruct an up-til-then trustworthy guy (SD) to roll over and lie to us about the hiring timeframe during the C12 sales job?

We ought to be looking a few moves ahead (chess instead of checkers).

What will ALPA do when Sleepy Ed (or some other high-functioning sociopath) takes the reins? Will ALPA be able to adapt? Everything I've seen screams "hell no." If we're getting played by the "good cop," how are we in a position to accomplish anything whatsoever against the "bad cop?"