I'm going to assume that until these negotiations are complete and finalized, the fact is we are losing block hours rapidly and still stop flying for AA next year with no other contracts for the future, therefore we are a considered a distressed carrier in the eyes of the UAL MEC.

The ZW MEC said the worked it out with UA MEC to give us distressed carrier status in an official email from the MEC. Until they redact that statement, I am keeping that box clicked.