Whatever....you always act like the smartest person in the room, you're not.

I'm back on topic now. Can't wait to read the email on Monday.

The Engage podcast is much clearer than the email in stating that this is the approach ALPA is seeking.

Personally, I think it’s the wrong approach. Time is on our side as management continues to sweat through massive coverage costs. But I’ll withhold further judgement until details are released.

Disagree. If it wasn't condusive they wouldn't mention the potential of it. The company wants something. If we can stitch it up in short order all the better.

Auto accept is the single most valuable piece of leverage this pilot group has ever had. Management will do everything they can to pry it out of our hands at a discount. Pushing a mediocre, limited scope, short-term deal that plays on the fears of a “forever war” will be their first step.

The MEC said they're not going to do that. "Mediocre" for the sake of expediency.

I'll see myself out until Monday.

If there is some way to get the big executives (new COO?) involved early...and somehow bypass or neuter Gumm's incompetence and ham-fisted underlings, it's worth a shot.
Nothing ever happens in negotiations until Bastian wants it done. If he wants it done early, the only question is if they're willing to pay a premium for it. If not, back to Plan A, I guess. Maybe Bastian wants this off his plate so he can coast into retirement and focus on the important thing: finding his next stewardess baby mamma.

It's got to be worth our while, though.

It’s leverage but in order to cash in that leverage, you have to sell it and let it go. Holding onto the leverage indefinitely does not get us a deal.

Right, but cashing it in for limited, short-term patchwork would be malfeasance. Management could take back auto-accept on Monday if they’re willing to sign a comprehensive, long-term deal that blows away the rest of the industry.

They won’t be doing that anytime soon. If the MEC stays true to their word, then this is going to be a long cycle. I’m fine with that.

Why are we assuming a long term deal is a good thing? Anything longer than 3 years is considered detrimental to pilot groups. A short term deal will certainly not be shorter than 2.

A 3-year deal could easily drag into an 8-year deal if we burn all of our leverage now.