Allow me to play devil's advocate for a second.

Why do you think 3% is merely a COLA? Inflation as calculated by FICA for the past two years has been essentially zero that's why social security has gotten zero COLA increases. Inflation may very well go up soon but so far it has not. Our last CBA had a 9% initial increase - 3% for the two years of negotiations and 3% for the new year. This one has a straight 3% - maybe it should be 4% since the TA (in theory) would be signed 4 months after the amendable date but why do you guys think it should be so much higher? We are the highest hourly paid in the industry and quite a bit higher than anyone outside of UPS. I too believe the company is doing well but many of the same guys crying for how great the company is doing, in the next sentence warn of a double dip recession that will affect everyone negatively.

Deadheading by trains? Give me a break - did I read something wrong or did this only affect the small amount of pilots in FDAs and did it only affect a few city pairs that most guys (at least the ones that are reasonable) deviate and take the much more efficient train anyways?

I think we should improve the FDA packages - yeah guys bid it knowing what was in it but they were also told by our then MEC and NC that the packages would be fixed - these are some fixes. If more senior guys are drawn to bid FDAs that helps out a LOT of pilots here.

I'm more concerned that there wasn't more put into how and when the company can enter into 4a2b. Is there anything on ULR at all?

Just a few thoughts. Flame away.