"feeding the beast?" "...sage of the mahogany office?" Whatever.

On the other question....who knows?! I really think they want the pilots of UAL to have a fair and equitable contract (obviously, according to THEIR definition of the same). However, they KNOW it must be about 5-10% north of the Delta standard at this point. It does not serve them well to have this dragged out much longer. As you and I both know, the so-called "synergies" will not fully be realized until the JCBA has been signed and the SLI is in place. I really don't think they care one way or the other about who represents the pilots of United. I must say, there is a lot of vitriole here about "Jeff and Glenn" as if they stay up late at night reading this crazy forum. ALPA wants there to be a lot of hatred toward these men. It is in the general make-up of most unions. That is, that the company (read, management) is the enemy (bad) and the workers have the right to dictate to the company not only how much money they should make, but indeed, how the company ought to be run.

Friend, I have been flying airplanes for over three decades. It is ALL I do. I have flown military, cargo, pax, night, day, tactical, line holder, reserve. I have been with more than a couple airlines and I have seen CEOs and upper mgt come and go. I am VERY pro-pilot and I sincerely hope the pilots of United get a truly fair and equitable contract and that they can live out what is left of their careers in happiness and contentment. But, I am afraid that is just not likely with ALPA having such a stranglehold on the United Pilots' careers.

Best,

JD