If ALPA has a preset merger policy, why all the gnashing of teeth? If two kids are arguing over a preset household rule, don't the parents normally tell them to shut-up and follow that rule?
That's a good question. In fairness to the NW MEC, they did propose subjecting the list to an expedited arbitration process similar to what happened at US/AW. I suppose the DL MEC rejected that notion after having observed what happened there. The preferable solution is to negotiate an equitable seniority list integration rather than subjecting the process to an uninvolved third party that may or may not "follow the rules". To me, the relative seniority is an equitable solution, but obviously the NW MEC doesn't agree.
If the two sides cannot agree and the merge is approved by the DOJ, what you are suggesting about the parents deciding essentially becomes true. The process is turned over to an arbitrator who will decide everyones fate. That did not bode well for the US Airways furloughed pilots.
Maybe you can tell me this too, has there been talk about limiting cross training? You can’t bid a route that you aren’t qualified to fly, and it would go both ways.
Until the merge is approved and the FAA grants authority to operate as a single carrier, all operations will remain seperate. That in itself could take a very long time.
Seat freezes and fences are sometimes used to help offset increased training costs. I would imagine there is a very good chance either or both of those will be used. Most likely everyone would remain in their current category until vacancies open up through attrition or displacements are neccessitated in the case of closing categories and or bases.
