I understand your point. I probably shouldn't have said that. However, I did say "I believe" which to me is a disclaimer of my best guess and not a statement of fact. I certainly don't want to place unreasonable expectations on the NC, nor start a rumor. My point was simply that the company stonewalled these negotiations to a point that i think has accelerated the process. I don't know if we will really be released to self help by the end of the year, and I shouldn't have even suggested it. Some steps of the process have gone very quickly though. We got assigned a mediator very quickly and he seems to be pushing for a quick conclusion to the process. That's all I was trying to say.

I will try harder to not let my opinions come across as facts, and not place any hard expectations on the NC. I am however pretty well informed, I attend meetings, I have talked to guys on the NC and I do know the RLA process.