When I read Mason's post my initial thought was that we should get the best deal we can, take the concessions, but also redo our contract for half the length. The reason I thought this might work in our favor was:
1) I came from Comair, I don't want to start ( and I won't) all over again.

2) if we had a shorter term contract, we could leverage the actual pilot shortage, instead of the perceived pilot shortage.

3) we had to be in the game to eventually win. Telegraphing our intentions like this does give AAG time to move the flying. But if we had the flying and a shorter contract, it would make life most difficult for management.

4) Lee Moak's letter makes it very clear that ALPA national couldn't care less about it's "apprentice pilots". This after national took $1 million off the top. Also, we just took concessions in bankruptcy, and the whole point was not to have to take another bite of the rotten apple.

But this offer, with it's new 10 year contract, to be negotiated like this just tells me I need to redouble my efforts to get on with the majors. This increased flow for the 824 , still under grievance, and the fact that every damn thing costs more money ( gas, food, utilities) and once again I'm asked to take a pay cut. There are those pilot's who may get hired on as street captains, but either way, if I'm not on with the majors by 2017, I'm outta here.

TC