Well, if the LAA committee is going to make a decision of X because it MAY invoke theoretical jeopardy to APA, then that would indicate that APA is NOT autonomous and actually would seem to provide even MORE jeopardy to them by indicating a relationship between the two. APA is responsible under M-B to ensure a fair PROCESS and that would be the careful decision on how to proceed absent an East committee hence the punt to the arbitrators.

IF (and that's IF) the Nic doesn't survive in pure form, it will be because the arbitrators didn't believe it provided the fairest, most equitable result to ALL parties, at least one which could not be reached another way with it. Only ONE of the three presently separate pilot groups comprising only 10% (or a little more) of the total pilots believes any final ISL that doesn't include the pure Nic is a "reordering" of the East pilots, but that pilot groups "equities" and/or beliefs might not provide the strength needed to push the pure Nic past the finish line and become a by-product of the final ISL. Again, (and it's just MY opinion) that the significant portions of the Nic WILL be a part of the final ISL (more then were likely before) and then that could be represented as a compromising victory for the West and the rationalization that the interests of 10% of the pilots didn't warrant THEIR interests being placed as paramount considering the other factors and equities the remaining 90% of pilots both East and LAA also brought.