Don't think of this as "the contract isn't amendable until 2013, 2016, or whenever". Letters of Agreement are common to fix problems with the contract and this Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) session took place mid-term of the current contract. IBB was actually initiated by the union as a way to fix issues with a couple of problem sections of the contract, but grew in scope as each side saw the opportunity for win/win situations in other sections. Whether it's truly "win/win" is being hotly debated by the pilots as we speak. Some, the FO's namely, potentially get the biggest piece of the pie this time around. In 2005, the sweet spot was a 5-year captain. The largest voting demographic will be the ones getting the smallest pay raise percentage, and perceive having to sacrifice the most, so "it ain't over till it's over".