Ask a senior captain that was a rep back in 2003
How United Alpa approach your MEC to get the 20 700s
New to United, as a matter fact first 70 seaters as United Express, on their seniority and tag the pilots to the bottom of their list, problem was united had furlough pilots and they would have been captains on those 20 frames and MAG pilots FOs, but hey on the United seniority
250 pilots would have been taken from Mesa approximately as FOs for only 20 frames. Lots of seating and collect FO pay, United started their recall by the way that year as well and hired at 2007-08 we know the massive furlough came at 2009 unfortunately but hey those 250 FOs would have been sitting well today with 2003 seniority

Fact, it was entertained, some lifers did not want to lose the 70 seat pay.

Learn the history of your union at MAG or ask