I believe it will be relaxed again, but it might not be anytime soon.

The scope relaxation process functions with a "ratchet" effect. That is it basically only goes one way...the wrong way.

It's possible for mainline to hold the line at certain times (like possibly right now, since they are PO'ed and feeling the full effects of their past actions). Unfortunately I feel it is extremely unlikely that there will be any significant "roll back" of scope because everything in contract negotiations has a cost and I think the cost of more scope (less RJ's) for most mainline groups would be prohibitive.

Never say never, but the mainline groups would have to be prepared to give up significant compensation to get much scope back. The senior guys will not do that, period. They are old and any scope-related career ramifications will probably never catch up with them. This means that the middle and junior folks will have to bear a disproportionate share of the cost of a scope rollback...I'm not sure that they will give up a lot of money now to fend off future uncertainty.

I assume they will hold the line on scope for now...but that's only good until the next industry catastrophe creates an opportunity for management to make another trip through the BK drive-through...