Airlines benefit from commuters just as much as pilots do. Commuters (such as I) have more motivation to make sure overnight legs do not cancel, to keep on schedule and to get weight restrictions lifted. (Though the last example is more an issue for the regional forum, it makes sense that we might be able to get a few revenue pax on in addition to our fellow commuters. )

Furthermore, one justification for not paying moving expenses for pilots is that we can just commute. Base closures and displacements are common and easy ways for airlines to align costs, but if we all the sudden have to move to our new bases, a whole new can of contractual worms gets opened.

I have a feeling that the same lobby that has kept work and duty rules on the books for so long may actually be on our side on this one particular issue