Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

(not contradicting your post, in fact I like the idea of closing the barn door when a cow wonders in)

Depends on if you see "unity" as negotiating capital.

All Delta flying done by Delta pilots = unity. As a union, that should be our default position. We should desire to represent all of Delta's pilot labor. It should be a political and ethical statement in addition to a litmus test for our actions in union governance.

It should also be our table position. ... If management comes to the table with 130 seats and we come to the table with status quo, the natural inclination of mediators is going to be a split up the middle, favoring management. If we come to the table with zero seats and concede to status quo after a lot of tears shed about the members getting abandoned under enemy fire, we'll end up in a position which is closer to our idea. ... and let us not forget status quo on section 1 was a whole series of concessions! We've still got a bankruptcy Section 1.

I don't pretend Continental and United are serious about a position which would cut off their feed and kill their company. What they need is a reexamination and rationalization of their scope sections. They are trying to do this via their JPWA negotiations. I say good on 'em.