I don't think that our management is just "giving away money" just for the heck of it. I think they are trying to sew up all the labor contracts so they can get on with the business of finishing the merger. If we're still two airlines floundering around trying to figure out contracts and other stuff, we can't possibly get organized well enough to compete with DAL and the others.

I've heard from a few others that Parker and Kirby are keen on wrapping up the JCBA stuff pretty quick...if so, that's smart. Spend a little more now so they can turn AA into a thoroughbred competitor. I think the issue about scope was being bounced around by Kirby just to see what the reception would be...maybe the pilots would be receptive? I think once we answer with a resounding "NO", they'll try to wrap up the contract and give us pay similar to Delta.