"Force" might not be the right word, but this negotiation is required by the contract and not so different than any other section 6 negotiation, other than there will be no mediation. (A little irony there as several MEC members felt we would have been better off in TA2 without the NMB, now they get their wish)

With the likelihood of a strike almost nil, why ever does a company agree to what they agree to under the RLA?

All the "events" that lead to TA2 could be ducplicated for this negotiation(s) as long as we can unify the pilot group behind the cause. I am not sure that the pilots are all on board at this point, so it will take a leader to step forward (Maybe it is the current MC) to rally them to the cause. Unifying the pilot group is the first step.

I am really surprised at this point that we haven't seen a plan taking shape to achieve our JV (reroute as well) goals. (Sorry, EI is not a "plan" and accomplished nothing and probably was as disunifying as it was unifying)