Well Ladies and Gentlemen, I stop in and view the Delta threads now and then just for a laugh and maybe a chance at some side boob here and there. However, this thread is keeping my interest because I'm with the work group that has been previously mentioned as buried three years deep with an unyielding management team.

For clarification purposes, I have received no union notification that SWAPA has backed away from the negotiating table to wait and see how this plays out. Of course, there is absolutely no chance in he!! that SWAPA will wrap up negotiations prior to the Delta TA being voted up or down, so it really is a moot point but worth mentioning none the less.

I am curious, where do all the rumors floating around about TA specifics come from? Are they leaked by the MEC? Made up? Somewhere in between?

In previous TA run ups, is there always a similar amount of speculation and rumored specifics regarding the actual TA language? Looking in from the outside, I feel like a complete mushroom in comparison. SWAPA has been in negotiations forever and short of a few completely unsubstantiated rumors every now and again I feel completely in the dark. Of course SWAPA doesn't have a TA so maybe I've just forgotten what the few days prior to a vote is like since I'm reflecting back to 2009!

I feel like you folks are in an incredibly fantastic position with a TA forthcoming so quickly but I'm curious as to what is the perceived rush to end negotiations so quickly unless you have reached every perceivable goal for the work group? A TA reached this quick means at least both sides are in the ballpark as to an agreement which will reach ratification. I get the time/value of money argument but is the general consensus reach an agreement immediately or you won't see another for years even when you're this close?

Lastly, there seems to be an abundance of new posters with relatively small post counts all hard charging the union view that this deal should be taken immediately or the union will be parked indefinitely. Is this the norm? It seems that normally you guys have a relatively finite group that posts all the time and are somewhat known quantities as to where their loyalty lies. Is this influx of new union talking point supporters the norm? Do they come back every few years when an agreement in the works and then disappear until next time?

Good luck to you guys and gals, I truly hope you can achieve the very best contract possible for your members.