mmmmmmmmaybe. Actually I agree with the logic that block hours are better in a downturn, but.... you have to ass/u/me that AK/KLM will downsize (which amazingly enough, they did not do at all in the last downturn which caused the company to be out of compliance). The elephant in the room is that we now have X% of all that flying, are instantly brought into compliance, and then allow a further reduction of block hours. Hmmmmmm I wonder what will happen?

The question I have to keep asking myself is what is going to happen during the term of this agreement. Do you see a downturn? Do you see AAL or UAL suddenly overtaking DAL in terms of profitability and operations? They are both good airlines, but I think we are way ahead in terms of the merger synergies. And with what just happened to USAPA, how will that affect things? It surely won't be resolved in enough time to make a difference during the term of this agreement.