Here's something that really needs to be discussed. This seems like a simple and reasonable thought, but in reality it puts you at a huge disadvantage. Here's why:

At NWA, our negotiators lowered expectations very, very far. We all thought what you thought. We'd just vote it down if we didn't like it. Then when the BK contract proffer came out, our pilots were stunned at the appearance of the negotiating committee giving away items that the company didn't even ask for. When the negotiating committee heard from the reps how furious the pilots were and that we were most likely going to vote it down, the negotiating committee came out and said: "Fine, but there is no plan B folks. If you turn this down, I don't even know what we'll do!" That's when some pilots realized that we would look even weaker in management's eyes to return to the table with negotiators that have no alternative plan to ask for more.

THAT is why it is so important for the negotiators to enter in to the fight knowing the expectations of their pilot group, and fighting like hell for them right from the start. Expectations of the rank and file are the ammunition for our negotiators.

Carl