“Reasonable efforts” is one of those weasel word expressions that legally means nothing. Since United sets United hiring standards, and don’t exactly announce them, not to mention they constantly change with the hiring market (today a four year degree, tomorrow volunteer work at a cat rescue shelter, etc.) Plus, who could have standing to sue for breach of contract - pretty much nobody except members of UAL ALPA, who by definition already were hired and hence weren’t harmed by the alleged breech.

Not saying UAL is hiring NK guys out of the goodness of their hearts, it’s a cadre of trained and experienced people that they can use while keeping regional people in the regional feeders a little longer. It’s a good business decision for them too, but this CBA clause really doesn’t compel them to do it in any meaningful way.