Originally Posted by Rightseat Ballast

Our EXCO did not go to court for stealing funds, our Local 747 president did (cases are still ongoing). He, in some form or another, robbed (allegedly, for anyone who wants to get all legal on me) the funds that our EXCO is supported by. Our EXCO is comprised of line pilots who still fly regularly.

As for...
...point 1: our scope requires everyone to be merged. Bedford has threatened to sell greater than 50% of his control in F9 to avoid having to integrate, but we highly doubt he will give up control over such a large investment and potential profit source.
...point 2: so far, there has been no successful work-around regarding RAH scope language. As stated above, the only way to avoid integration is for Bedford to not own a controlling interest.
...point 3: I agree that no one should be making a tangible gain in the first year. Our negotiators are level headed guys, and I am sure F9 guys will walk away with some sort of fence protection, and a somewhat reasonable place on the combined seniority list. YX pilots will not likely get a fence, since they won't have aircraft to protect. Perhaps something will be worked out to put those guys into MKE first. As an aside, under the current RAH contract, a senior pilot can NOT displace a junior pilot out of seat/equipment/or base unless the company is shrinking or a base downsizes. So long as YX pilots get MKE right away, they won't be bumped out, no matter where they end up on the seniority list. Same would apply to F9'ers in the event no fence is set up.
...point 4: Of course we want to improve pay. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until a new contract is ratified, until a plane with more than 99 seats installed is added, or until F9 pilots operate under the RAH CBA (Airbus is greater than 99 seats...new payscale). RAH was a low tier regional when the last contract came out. We have a whole different future, and quite possibly a 90% NEW pilot group. The old ways won't continue.
...point 5: No idea where that will go. I really do hope better 401k matching is included in the new CBA. Pensions are obviously not going to be established nowadays.
...point 6: Trying to keep the lawyers out...we got rid of our Local 747 legal counsel when we got rid of our President (same guy, double dipping in Hoffa's cookie jar). As for keeping the unions out, unfortunately EVERYTHING has to be negotiated through them. That's the high price of the low life.