Hey, I'm just reading the tea leaves. The recent FedEx AIP lends even MORE credence to my theory:

April 15 - SAV approved by MEC
May 17 - SAV approved by 99% of the 97% voting
May 30 - AIP

As another poster in another thread mentioned, and which I agree, a SAV would have had more leverage if completed earlier in the year as summer bookings were ramping up. But alas, the negative publicity this will generate (because the majority of consumers will hear "strike" but not realize it's waaaaay down the road) will pull us across the finish line without going through mediation. I would also support the union continuing to talk publicly about going to mediation AFTER a strike vote is authorized, for maximum pressure on the company.

Caveat: can we get 95%+ of pilots to vote and of that 95%+, can we hit 97-99% "YES"? The picket turnout(s), the lanyards, the overall mood tells me we can. Obviously, the MEC feels the same, hence the green light on the SAV.

I believe the MEC will get the majority of what they are asking for.

We will have an ILC by Aug 1 (but hopefully sooner).