Since we are talking contract facts, let's look at the history.

Compensation: In 1999, our top rate was $184 while Delta's was $250. In 2004, our top rate was $206 while Delta's was $319. We went from Delta being paid 30+% more to them being paid 50+% more, yet people like to say we had industry leading pay. Our top rate didn't pass that $250 mark until 2008 for our A380 rate that we never got.

Reserve: 90 minute call out. Saying that an overwhelming majority of our pilots must be able to report withing 90 minutes is true, but not necissarily what happens in reality. This is also a product of only having two recoveries and all of our trips ending when we hit our base. Can that change, sure. How and what are the follow on concequences? Can you imaging how the company could abuse pairings that are allowed to be built to transit a pilots base? What about revisions that allow the company to sweep a pilot through their base?

System bidding: Yeah, it sucks. It didn't poll in the top four in items to be fixed. Have you looked at Uniteds' new contract? If they bid to a seat, and a new bid comes out and they could hold a better seat, yet haven't trained for the previos seat, they can't bid. If you are stuck in a seat, and a junior pilot got hired into the seat you want, how do you suggest fixing it? A bump and flush bid? Wouldn't that be sticking it to the junior guys, or does that only apply if you aren't the junior guy?

Hotels: Well, I guess I will tell that Delta and United crew that are staying at this same hotel that they are staying at an industry worst place.

It is easy to point out problems, it finding the solutions that don't have negative effects worse than the original problem that becomes tricky.

While some might not agree with the focused approach, it is what the majority wanted.

So, what isn't the MEC telling us about being released? Have they mentioned that a PEB could say that the rejected TA was the highest per pilot contract? Have they said that the PEB could make recommendations for a new contract? Have they mentioned that Congress could force the rejected TA on us or a recommended TA from the PEB? This isn't meant to try to scare anyone, it is only mentioning the possibilties that haven't been brought up. If we are so important to the US and world economy, shouldn't these items be a concern?