The biggest thing the author misses as that, with the last round of scope concessions through 1113c the mid part of the 2000's, it finally screwed enough mainline pilots to where it is a hot button issue.

Too many mainline guys have gotten their careers totally jacked by giving up scope (or have gotten their flight time flying RJ's and saw the horrendous erosion and its effects...not to mention seriously lengthening our ability to upgrade or even get hired)... thus scope is no longer something that is negotiable. Taking it back is closer to the table than giving it up, for sure.

For me, I have zero issues whatsoever with shutting widgetland down over one more seat, one more pound, or one more plane....