Originally Posted by
sailingfun
The arbitrator was not a ALPA aribitrator. He was a federally appointed arbitrator from the NLRB.
Not exactly. ALPA maintains a list of approved independent arbitrators. The two pilot groups could either agree to an arbitrator or they could use alternate strike method (each side eliminates one person, alternating, until only one is left). I believe that the East pilots really wanted Nicolau and they actually delayed the arbitration to accomodate his schedule. Kind of funny that their hand picked guy was then called the "crazy old man" when he didn't rule in their favor. Worst example of leadership I have ever seen.