Well, from a historical standpoint this is the first time negotiations have taken place in DC with a member of the NMB present, and there is an election and a huge merger coming up...some say we'll have to wait for a new administration/NMB, but I disagree--I think that just the prospect of a new NMB/Pres that's more labor-friendly will make the company more likely to sign off on something now--b/c the company's leverage will start to drain from election day until the appointment of a new NMB next Spring as the possibility of being released goes up and up.

And I'm not just talking about Obama/McCain....just the prospect of a new NMB--McCain or Obama appointed, is good...I don't care whether someone's a repub or dem, there is always house-cleaning from one admin to the next, and whoever the new NMB is would (hopefully) think it was ridiculous how long this has lasted, and clean some house and release us to get this done once and for all....although I have my personal opinion on which NMB would be more likely to let that happen!