That's the big question. What IS the benefit of opening early? Analysts suggest that it's a move by Munoz to buy "labor peace", which has x value. Staller suggests it's a big Trojan Horse designed to ruin us forever. Another theory is to take your suggestion of "those who set the framework have an upper hand in the argument" and apply it not to United employees but to the industry in general. Perhaps it's a play out of DAL's handbook where they opened early on the last contract cycle thus being able to shape the labor costs industry wide by going first. I certainly don't pretend to know. I did note that the IAM leadership was much more enthusiastic about the news of a contract ammendment followed by early open than ALPA's leadership was.... understandable seeing as it appears on the surface to be a better offer than what we got.

Despite what Staller says, I'm not for or against anything yet other than being glad that we are having a dialogue. I've always been a fan of taking advantage of opportunities when they arise. Is this an opportunity, or the company's attempt to swindle us yet again? No way to know yet unless you're at the negotiating table. I certainly understand the pessimistic views. I've lived through the same hell as everyone else. I tend to be a little bit more opportunistic than most. Then again, I closed on a house on August 2011, so clearly I'm not a smart investor