I use different definitions of "going first". Back in 2015 Delta went first but was the last to get a contract. They went first because they got a TA that was voted down by the pilots. That singular event sent pattern bargaining in motion because it established what was insufficient, It set the lower boundary. UAL did the same thing this time around(went first) as Delta did last round. We set the lower limit by turning down the Tumi TA, and Delta used that as a springboard (and the CEO flapping his gums on CNBC thereby irritating the mediator) to get a contract. Now AA has used the Delta contract as a new lower limit, and hopefully we will reap the rewards when we finally ink the last deal this contract cycle.

Semantics? Possibly. But the logic seems pretty sound as far as pattern bargaining.

Nonetheless, I have no problems with the polling, especially since a lack of polling contributed to the Tumi TA debacle and disenfranchised 4000 new(ish) hired pilots due to lack of input(concern) by the established junta. When you know best, who needs input from the proletariat?