No one knows the exact timeline on this, since it's unlikely the mediator has even had a chance to give his opinion to the Nat'l Med. Board. Given my knowledge (read lack-thereof) of this process, don't expect to hear anything yay/nay on the a release for a couple of months. The NMB is not known for their expedience; we saw this at a previous airline I worked for.

Keep in mind that we don't yet know if the mediator will even RECOMMEND our release to the board, although in conversations with those that are close to the neg. process it sounds as if he's pretty frustrated with the company and their attorneys. IF he does recommend our release (likely), then the NMB then makes the decision to release us or not. It is NOT entirely up to our mediator to release us or not; he may only offer his recommendation.

IF the NMB gives us a release, they will set the clock for the 30-day cooling off period. That may not come immediately; it would probably be set for some later date.

My opinion is that the union did this intentionally. The airplanes that are set to be delivered next spring are probably already partially paid for. If I know strategy, I'd want the 30-day window to close the day after the first airplane hits company property.

gator