There’s lots of leverage. They can’t operate a merged pilot group without a JCBA. And why are we talking about arbiters? Why do we need to make a case in arbitration? We could drag a contract out for 5 years just like management always does- as far as I’m aware, there’s no arbitration clause.

What you’re talking about is trading spirit work rules for money because money is industry standard and good work rules aren’t. That might work for your pilot group, but it has to get through ours too. Concessions are a non-starter.

You are looking at things purely from your lens. I agree that things like pay, retirement, pairing construction, etc need work. Expect substantial pushback if your master plan is to trade the good parts of spirits contract as your leverage to get it.