This discussion is semi-off topic per the CAL 170 Thread/Sermon started by
"Rev" Baron.....but I have to touch on what you said JD.

Agreed....
At times within certain aspects, ALPA's game plan is tired/showing it's age just as the playbook that the Companys dusts off every time they pull it off the shelf to do battle. Like you I share your ankst/frustration on the predictability of tactics/results that often come about between ALPA & the company when dealing with Mgt v Labor relations.

However, saying that ALPA has ZERO leverage in this merger.....We'll I find that to be about as dramatic as CA Baron is at times in some of his statements/facts that he's laid out above. When you cite Judge Lefkow's ruling back in late 2008 concerning the UAL Pilot Group's actions, how was that time/situation anything in parallel to what we having going on now in the Merger and the Joint Pilot Group's Neg a JCBA?? United Airlines Pilots Union and strike, court decision on work to rule strike by pilots | DWS Aviation

Back then, UAL-ALPA had what leverage against Glenn Tiliton?.....That group was (still is) working under at BK CBA, loosing much of it's mainline domestic flying, 1100+ Pilots (at that time) on the street with no 'real trump card' to lay on the table in which to threaten "Glenn & Co.'s" Apple Cart. At that time, was Mediation---> Arbitration something that the company saw as being a threat looming on the horizon?? Not hardly. Back in 2008 (or earlier), what urgency did the Company/Board have in which to obtain at new CBA for your Pilot group?? NONE.....they had it all.....Beaten down Pilot Group as a bi-product of the BK CBA....outsourced an 'entire fleet' to cut rate labor.....and had already rided the Pilot Group of it's Company Paid/Funded Pension.....they (Tilton) clearly had the upper hand with no threat/clear leverage from UAL ALPA.

At least 'today' CAL/UAL ALPA have come together by way of a solid Transition Agreement in which they will JOINTLY do business in tandem as WE deal with the NEW Company while making in-roads towards our JCBA. It's establishment has beaten the company to the punch of "Whip-Saw" (DON'T think this is huge?? Just look at the compeating FA Groups within our new company). The NEW Company NEEDS the Pilot's JCBA to be able to deliver ANY type of economic numbers/results that it's 'sold' to the Government, Wall Street, and it's investors. Will the road we travel be tried and easy?? Not a chance......but one in which we will have much more than ZERO leverage.

Contrasting how things were 'back then' (as your cited above), to how the are now, I would tend to see differently that ALPA has more than ZERO Leverage in this deal.....Can it be squandered away?? Absolutely!! Do I think it will be?? Highly doubt it. There are too many check-n-balances (DUAL/independent MEC's over-seeing it's process, two different/but formable Pilot Groups that understand just want a top line CBA looks like, and enough guys/gals between the two companies that are tired of taking it in the shorts for the last 9 yrs) in place to just watch idly as this opportunity rolls down the drain.

I've been in this business long enough to know what trials/tribulations that are entailed in a CBA fight. I am NOT being a Kool-Aid drinker of any kind in which the roses are fragrant/'purdy'.....just know enough that this specific opportunity we have now is not your ordinary Neg.....it's one that we can keenly capitalize on as a group as we go forward together.

If you believe you have ZERO Leverage......your probably going to act, negotiate, and get results that follow in tow.