The "Start up airline" comment is mine. The New CAL had it's birth in the late 70' and early 80's about the same time as People Express, Air Florida, Muse, New York Air and others. CAL even merged with several of those airlines. Nothing wrong with that but most of the meat of those contracts were written in that time frame. About 25 years while the United contracts have a much longer longevity. We saw that in the UPA, it took a lot time and capital to bring the CAL side up to the UAL contract. Not that that was bad it was part of the cost to merge the 2 groups.

As far as the rah rah comment - I'd bet your wife doesn't want to be a cheerleader for the airline as an '86 hire. They've got a long way to go to get a joint contract. OM needs to get involved and get it done.