there is no way to guess this. take a look at hawiian and see what they are trying to accomplish. this will set a modern day precedent. the point is that the mediator needs to believe we are reasonable and the company is unreasonable. this isn't going to work if the only thing either party does is get angry and "take their ball and go home". the clock won't start until he declares an impasse.

getting the clock to start as quickly as possible is the only way we will ever get anything out of these donkeys. it is by far in their best interest to stall as long as possible because it is cheaper. simple economics. that is all.