USAirways management doesn't need to come to the table with a decent proposal. Assuming a bankruptcy filing is imminent, or has occurred, they simply need to propose a contract that they can afford. It may not even be an improvement over what's in place now.

The next step would be the 1113 hearing to void the current contract, and impose new terms and conditions of employment. USAPA can negotiate under the threat of an imposed contract, and try to get some minor improvements, but their leverage at that point is almost nil.

Since their inception, they've gradually squandered the little bit of leverage they had.