I don’t believe I’ve seen this point talked about yet, if so apologize for posting again.

Does anyone think is strange at this point and time - almost a year past the amendable date and negotiating almost two years since we opened early. We are not in mediation with the NMB yet? Either side can unilaterally file an application with the NMB for mediation and that usually starts the mediation process.

Historically, mediation significantly slows the process down. Additionally, in the end game the NMB usually pressures both sides to meet in the middle on any outstanding items. This would mean ALPA would have significant pressure to concede and move toward the company on scope.

So why hasn’t the company petitioned the NMB for mediation? I believe because they don’t have a-lot of time, at least not as much as as they normally do.

We have approximately 70 less 70/76 seaters then DAL and 140 less then AA. The company needs more 70/76 seaters to effectively compete with AA and DAL. The 550 is just a gimmick or niche airplane and the company knows it. So it doesn’t solve the 70/76 equation for them. Otherwise we’d be in mediation now or in the very near future to drag out this process. The fact that we are still in facilitated negotiations (outside the NMB process) with the facilitator having no real power, tells me the company needs a deal and we do have a stick. How big a stick, I’m not sure. But no mediation requests by the company needs to be looked at as to why not?