OK...I'm a junior guy. I used to be on the right seat of the 747. Then 9/11 and the resulting bankruptcy. I was surplused to the 777. Then the 767/757. Then the 737. Then back up to the 757. So I know what it feels like to be crapped on in the whole process.

Tilton did what he was supposed to do. He trimmed us down and readied us for a merger. Here we are, so I'd say that he was pretty successful. And much richer because of it. Would I like to kick him in the crotch? Hell yes!

On to the -400 issue....shouldn't we be trying to get the max that we can for each aircraft and aren't we paid according to aircraft size? Banding was a concessionary give back during hard times in the industry; shouldn't we now try to get what we can out of each aircraft? The different bands recognize aircraft that are fairly close in size. Are the 777 and the 747 close in size? No, there is over a 200,000 lb. difference. The 747 carries more cargo and more people over further distances. Thus, greater economic potential for the company. Seems pretty clear cut to me, unless you throw in the possibility that the higher pay of the 747 will affect the SLI. Whether it does or not it will be up to the arbitrator so I have no way of knowing. But since that possibility exists, the UAL MEC was willing to sign paperwork agreeing that the arbitrator should NOT take that into account when determining the SLI. Seems pretty reasonable to me. Seems like the UAL MEC is willing to compromise on an issue that is very important to BOTH pilot groups. It also seems to me that the UAL MEC by offering this is trying to allay fear from the CAL MEC that it will harm the CAL group. This is, in fact, an attempt to keep the SLI separate from the JCBA, NOT to try and influence it in UAL's favor.

Even with the offer from the UAL MEC to sign an agreement that the higher pay of the 747 SHOULD NOT be used by the arbitrator the CAL MEC would not go along with the compromise.

Now, let's look at how the 747 would benefit BOTH pilot groups:

Both pilot groups would be able to fly this aircraft once the SLI is worked out at a higher pay rate.

There would be no fence.

There is a very high possibility that you would see one soon out of EWR as more capacity is already needed on your Tel Aviv flight and you have no aircraft to fly it.

There is currently no passenger airline launch customer for the 747-800. We are now the world's largest airline with an incredible frequent flyer program. Don't you think that we just may be courted by Boeing to be their launch customer? Sure would beat the A350.

There seems to be a lot of discussion on this board about one group trying to screw another. I have not missed one LEC merger meeting or normal union meeting. I have not heard one word about trying to screw the CAL guys. In fact, I have heard the opposite. We want this to work out for the benefit of all of us. The last thing I personally want to do is share a cockpit with someone that hates my guts. I'm sure that there are exceptions. I've seen it on this board. But let's try to remember, when it's all over we are going to be one pilot group. We are going to be much better off than we are today. Shouldn't we be expending our resources on getting the best overall contract?
Do we really want it to go like the USAirways merger?