Originally Posted by Albief15

Okay...simply put...turning this down won't do dick for the guys already committed to going.

If we say "oh yeah...we'll SHOW YOU...and turn it down..." The company will say..."okay, fine. We'll pass on doing the housing deposits, extra hotel time, etc". And then they'll scare the bejesus out of some dudes into going anyway or convince some folks to go to HKG to keep flying a WB instead of a downgrading to a NB. Hong Kong is going to get filled--at least I think it will. Age 60 won't change, DW will still be MEC chariman, and we will still be dealing with excess bids.

Trust me guys--when I want you to fight I'll ask you. But I won't ask you to throw rocks at a machine gun. Pick your fights wisely.

I have been VERY open here--and I'm sure I'll take some heat for trying to engage on this forum vice saving it for more official media--but I am speaking as ME here. This is ONE guy, and ONE guy's opinion.

As for solutions--other than a call from Laughing Jackal today I've heard from nobody. Who out there has some better ideas? Care to offer your take on LOA improvements? How to mitigate the damage from excess bids? Better negotiation tactics? I say that not in a mocking tone, but in a genuine request for constructive input.

With that--I'll step back from this forum a bit. I'll gladly engage--take it to the ALPA webboards and we'll tear it up over there, or email me at my ALPA address and we can chat. I'll also put some dates out for some lunches around and about later in June and also in July. Even if we can't solve the world's problems, a good meal will make the day's effort more fun.