I'm quite confident you have everything well reasoned in your own world.

Actually their actions did have something to do with it, but yes, the straight stapling the TWA F/A's got was the crux of what led to the birth of McCaskill-Bond.

...and speaking of birth, we should remember the truth of the actual delivery of this particular baby. This baby was put together hastily by two Missouri politicians primarily concerned with votes and appeasing their local constituency is how politicians get votes and keep their jobs. Appearing to be sympathetic to labor in a heavily blue collar state isn't a bad move either.

From my understanding, the amendment was never debated in committee and was attached quietly to an unrelated bill at the last minute (very common) and as many bills are, it was voted on by a majority in Congress, most having no knowledge of its existence let alone its content. This baby was born by essentially an "end run" in which the ball carrier puts the ball under his shirt as he runs up the sidelines only to deliver the baby by surprise in the end zone.

Section 3 requires negotiation and subsequent failure. That hasn't occurred yet, because no actual list proposals have been exchanged. The only thing that has occurred and is presently stalled is the protocol for DEFINING the process once it begins. In absence of that and in conformity with the MOU that USAPA agreed to, the JCBA process continues. USAPA wants to not only redefine the MOU (and stop the process), but redefine M-B to control something that has not yet occurred. Of course, this is all hogwash to USAPA and their fervent supporters, but that is nothing new. There's been a long string of hogwash to them that has included other unions, managements, arbitrators, judges and anyone who doesn't swill the Charlottan brew like famished water buffaloes.

Just another chapter in an old fable completed, that's all, so onward to the next chapter. The fact is, USAPA's existence isn't necessary for a fair and equitable SLI, only the ability of the various parties to provide their position to the arbitrators so they have all relevant information to make their determination. If the three essential factions can pick their own negotiators, the MOU can still provide the fair and equitable SLI intended. All this Usapian posturing has nothing to do with fair and equitable, it's just about USAPA remaining relevant to ensure they can both promote their agenda and quash others. Nothing more, nothing less.

I appreciate your confident sarcasm. Enjoy you day! Seriously.

I heard the APA agreed to staple all flow through and former AWA pilots, in the name of tradition.

Of course they did. They agree to staple everyone upfront, and negotiations start from there.

Some of us are trying to ensure they don't use the USAPA playbook.

Congratulations. Your post was brief and you obsessed about USAPA, too.

Absolutely right. For the most part, we pilots at AA want the very best deal for our pilots possible. Negotiations with the SLI are no
Different then those with management. In fact, this has far more implications then a contract, and I expect there will be far less if any compromise in terms of outcome. I fully accept that the other side will be as steadfast in their SLI stance. It really shouldn't be taken personally that we all feel this way, it's only business. To think this will not be decided outside of the two/three parties is ludicrous.
Once the SLI decision is made, hopefully there can be peace, but I
Won't count on it. I figure one way or another 10-15 years from now
Most will be retired anyway, and after 30 years at AA that doesnt seem like a long time. Shoot, Aircal, Reno and TWA didn't seem that long ago, IMO.

Shoot neither does Piedmont, Empire or PSA.

Though more subtle than other negotiating tactics, none the less, flattery is also nothing more than a negotiating tactic, during the SLI war.