Interesting point. But the question is "was it a windfall at the time the NIC came out"? Judge Silver did not think so. So the question to answer is this part of the price the East will have to pay for their delay? Along with regional pilot pay and bennies and all they have been through?

I don't think the NIC will be used entirely either, but with the overall attitude of this last arbitration, both the testimony and ruling, if I was a East pilot the hair on the back of my neck would be standing out. The smartest thing both East and West could do is fire all current hard liners and try to get a group that would work together. But that will never happen. Most are just sheeple, being herded along.

ETA- a small point. There are indeed three list. Nothing would keep the arbitrators from building a list of East and West then build the combined list. The fact there are three list are immaterial to them at that point. It is still combining AA and US.

I guess there is a chance the lead arbitrator won't think the east acted "unfairly" to keep the west out, but when you read his last 2 awards especially republic/frontier you see he is well versed and condemns the east douchebaggery.

See my previous post.
"with the overall attitude of this last arbitration, both the testimony and ruling, if I was a East pilot the hair on the back of my neck would be standing out".

I understand that question was MOVED to this arbitration, but that is NOT the requirement that it be considered, let alone adopted.

I don't think YOU are comprehending that simple fact. Hey, just like our committees will, we disagree. At least we'll all be consistent on this issue. ;)

And BTW, to all those misguided yes voters who think 2020 will be our Phoenix out of the ashes (no pun intended), we are certain to be only MORE fragmented once the SLI occurs as it's a certainty many will be angry and blame others as aside from yes against no, there's East against West, TWA against native AA, 3RD listers kicked aside and EVERYONE hates those damn AE flow-thru's who didn't even earn their jobs ! :rolleyes:

Couple that with nothing of value for Parker due to being the "Walmart" contract of the big three and we're are hopelessly screwed. Fool yourselves if you must, but you're only living in denial. I forecast complete disaster.

Yeah, I've heard about that, what do you call it......."Nic" thingy ?

It should be an interesting arbitration. Some serious issues that have no precedent and didn't exist in any other SLI.

The question on wether the Nic is the east/west list was moved from court proceedings to these arbitrators by the mou. Nothing prevents the arbitrators from using it or not at their discretion.

I agree 100% with that statement. The exchange between East MC chairman Pauley and the lead arbitrator was very telling. The arbitrator basically picked up the baton from the West lawyer and had Pauley squirming until he finally pinned him down.

Quote from Arbitrator Davits directed at East MC Chairman Pauley

"ARBITRATOR JAVITS: I guess the gravamen of the questions is are you then putting yourself in the place of Nicolau, are you the new Nicolau because you are proposing a list which may not reflect Nicolau's list?"

I think you really need to stop and consider the significance of the lead arbitrator taking it upon himself to pursue that line of questioning with the chairman of the East merger committee.

Translation: are you saying that you are more qualified than the most respected arbitrator in the country to merge US Airways and America West?

If i was an East pilot I would be worried as h#ll. I predict a repeat of the last merger where the East drove it right off the cliff asking for everything. Thank god they aren't going to be representing the West.

Agreed. Nothing prevents them for using it, but compels them either. I just don't think it will be evident once the final ISL is seen.

Finally, détente ! :)

I agree with you.

I suspect this is what the future holds (But what the hell do I know)?

If I was an East pilot, I would have zero fear of an arbitrator implementing some sort of "retribution" integration. That simply won't happen. I think my attitude might be more like, "well, it was fun while it lasted."