There is a good chance that putting out something that has a chance to pass is the only option. DFR or not. Unless Doug coughs up a lot of money I don't think anything with NIC can pass. If something is put out that includes a small raise, which I think is the best we can hope for from Doug, and is not NIC( not DOH either) , and with somekind of protection for PHX, I think it has a good chance of passing from the east list and the west Captains. Not all the west Captains of course, but enough will take the raise and the guarantee that they wont have to move to the east coast.
IF something like that occurs with the majority of the group both east and west voting for it. The DFR would come. However it seems that such a DFR would have a hard time overcoming the fact that most voted for it.
It is pretty clear we are going nowhere like it stands. If there were not 1700+ retirements on the east in the next 9 years i could see a NIC getting a passing vote. It kind of looks like some middle of the road not DOH and not NIC is the only way to get anything passed.
Now before you yell about me negotiating or whatever, remember what I said earlier about where I stand on the list between widebody or narrowbody. It does not matter in the slightest which way it goes for me. If Tempes offer is enough to get me (and most of the east) to vote for a NIC, that means it is in excess of widebody rates for narrowbody equipment and F/O rates equal to current Capt rates on the east. Anything less than that and I will only vote yes on something that does not include NIC. Neither will the bottom 1/3 of the east list that is stapled in a NIC.
it is very possible that taking a DFR suit is the preferable way to go in the sense that it might be the only way to get a joint contract.
You just do not get the part that it does not matter if the DFR is what the majority wishes.
Also, you don't get a contract if it is a failure of DFR. That is the company's position in the DJ. Any negotiated contract that is a DFR is barred by injunction, and all you did was waste the years of negotiating, just to be told, try again?? When you are looking into mergers/aquisitions that is an untenable position to be in.