Are you new? We've been in worse shape. Especially if you're using base closures as a barometer.

Fairly new. A few years. Wasn't around for the BK if that's what you're talking about.
I meant it more in the future. I hope we don't get to the point that AA is at. Wasn't really thinking about our entire 87 year history when I made that comment.

First, I got a serious question, why do you get defensive when I mention strike?

Second, to answer your question, how do you get a contract done ASAP? You capitulate in your opener and send a TA off to the pilots with a vote yes recommendation with a warning: "I'm afraid of what might... I mean will... happen if we say no."

TriColor,

We were at that point 6 years ago. You could even say we were worse - DAL went through the BK process - AMR may still avoid it.

If on the other hand, you meant something like, "I hope we don't have to go through something like that ..........again." I am in total agreement. :)

Scoop

That's exactly what I meant. It's just that I wasn't here 6 years ago so I didn't want to make it seem like I knew the struggles my now co workers went through.

Disregard........common sense prevailed.

Your question is based on a false premise, that I'm defensive about a strike. I'm not at all. It would be great if we could get released if that what it takes. I say bring it.

Unfortunately, your answer on how to get to release for self help is no answer at all. Certainly you are better than empty rhetoric and bravado. Lets try it again. The APA has been willing to walk off the job for the last 5 years, why haven't they? Why haven't they achieved a contract in those 5 years? What would you recommend we do differently so that we don't fall into the same trap and are stuck still negotiating this Section 6 contract in 2018 without a release for self help from the NMB?

Yes they sure did.

That's because management told them so.

Carl

Very serious answer. Throw the SWAPA contract on the table and say: "We'll take this plus 5% with increases above 737 sized aircraft based on the increased capacity." If the company screamed bloody murder (and they will), we simply call the NMB. The NMB would have no grounds to park us when we are only asking for what our largest less profitable competitor already has.

Carl

Carl, thanks for the answer and it's possible that that might be a strategy if the Delta pilots want SWAPA + 5%, but is that what the Delta pilots want? Some here demand no less than restoration of C2K plus COLA. Your opener doesn't come close to meeting their demands. Will they consider your proposed opener a capitulation? If you were a rep what do you tell them when they ask you why you didn't set restoration as your clear objective in your opener?