I'm not saying the deal did not change through the iterations between NewCo/NWA70/Compass, but the Zipline actually shows ALPA went to the table a year and a half before bankruptcy. It also reflects the "bargaining credit" for a whole generation of pilots jobs and upgrades was only 15 million. Given the longevity loss and stoverpipe effect of upgrades, our flying was sold very, very, cheaply.

I agree with you the problem is that ALPA is not responsive to its membership. Further, it has been a lot less than candid in the education of its membership when it blames Spetember 11th and bankruptcy for deals that were done long before the later crises that came to our profession.

It takes about 18 months lead time to get airplanes ordered and everything ready to deploy them. Delta announced a 500 RJ order in March of 2000, well before 9/11/2001. The outsourcing deals maintained a comfortable lead, enabling Delta to take delivery of these airplanes on schedule.

At its core, ALPA firmly believes this outsourcing is a good thing. Slowplay and I disagree, but I earnestly respect his candor. What he writes is much more representative of the mainstream powers that be in our union than anyone else on this board.