It's worse than that. A DAL A320 captain makes more per hour than the combined CREW in an LCC A320. In six years, USAPA has done nothing for its own pilots, and even managed to make the lives of other labor groups worse for the purposes of pattern bargaining.

When they negotiated a new contract coming out of BK, the APA agreed to hourly rates based on metrics for "industry average." Unfortunately that average included LCC rates.

So nice job getting that merger, it was the only way USAPA was going to get anything outside of a merry trip to the NMB. I'm sure the American pilots will be thrilled to meet the geniuses who cost them a few boat payments' worth of negotiating leverage.

The APA has never led the industry in anything, excepting that fine for $45.5 million. I think in both cases it comes down to governance; it is easier for fear mongers and false prophets to get elected on either property, and the skills needed to win an election rarely complement those needed to actually run a union.

The coming seniority list integration will be the proof of this, and I hope they find a way to turn their ship into the wind and get another contract in ten years. Every airline pilot just dodged a bullet with the DOJ settlement.