There isn't anyone that should support an NC that doesn't have a clue what they are doing. Saying you don't want to negotiate rates because the 'company already knows what industry standard means' is almost as clueless as those saying the mediator won't allow it. Seems like a lot of first timers in here, or those that just won't acknowledge the facts. Simple accounting dictates that in order for a contract to be ratified all terms must be defined and cost out to compile the total final expenditure of the contract. Meaning very specifically items in the scheduling section must have their proper cost associated with it in order to accept any deal. The NC/Union are playing games and dragging their feet at the cost of their pilots. It isn't the mediator that is preventing this at all, it's just bad representation getting spanked at the table over and over again. And yes, before anyone decides to point out that is what the company is currently doing to stall, you are correct but the union is actively helping them by wasting time.

You can stand in a circular firing squad and blame absolutely anybody you want. You can blame the NMB, the RLA, the mediator, the company, or AR. You can blame the billion dollar hotel in a swamp. You can blame an election, or politics, or the economy, or annoymous posts on a message board. OR, you can point out that the Toonsters took over your union with no election, no plan (cept to bilk the local) and no intention of letting anyone voice their opinions. Nice dog and pony show....that's it.