First, There is no recession in Houston. There is a re-shaping of some energy markets and a cyclical contraction based on global supply and demand, which resulted in a temporary draw-down of exploration and some domestic production.

Second, Much of the worlds energy production depends on geo-political stability and right now while OPEC has decided to keep production up and prices low there is a residual effect on advanced economies such as ours. The Geopolitical issues are in part brought to bear as a punishment to Russia, and Venezueala, which don't much have an interest in OPEC, and decline in Chinese demand. OPEC won't keep the price low for too much longer. It's quid-pro-quo agreement to affect Russia and help the Obama administration will be over in 6 to 9 months.

Third, The union doesn't represent the IAH pilots over the DEN pilots. The abortion that was the ISL process is over. ALPA doesn't care, never did. ALPA just wants your dues money to keep pumping in. They don't care if you live in DEN or IAH, or SEA, etc. They know, no matter where you are based you still have a position on the list, and you continue to pay dues. Also, the company doesn't care where you are based either. If management wants pay for company moves all the time, that's their business.

Fourth, I thought the Airbus would come in to IAH along time ago. Supposedly its ideal for cargo (which we don't fully capitalize on) in Latin America.