Chip, Maybe I'm missing something? If so ? fill me in.
I fail to see where Johnny O and MESA would have any interest in playing the J4J thing with us. Here is my observation in support of this theory.
(1) MESA has RJ's...and RJ Pilots
(2) MESA has the Credit to buy more without any assistance from BKAir.
(3) MESA has had no problems recruiting pilots to fly for them
(4) MESA is attempting to get Non-Unionized Freedom Air going.
(5) Mesa and ALPA Combined did a real nifty job on destroying the Evil Unionized Pilots and Employee's of CCAIr...that did not fit his vision of cost structure
(6) MESA is obviously trying to distance themselves from Union issues...So why would they agree to J4J's ..and end up deeper in these issues?
(7) US needs immediate RJ feeds...and doesn't have the ability to furnish them to our WO's...MESA can..and without conceeding anything to your ALPA MEC.
(8) U will sell you guys down the river..if it's between MESA RJ's and Pilots flying a needed route....or helping our furloughed pilots?
(9) Johnny O is clearly in the drivers seat here...U needs the planes...MESA has the ability to obtain more ...So where in all of this is there any motivation to sign on for J4J's?
The story is looking more like MJJ4J (More Jet Jobs for Jonathan)....He has a Full-House on this hand....U is playing with a pair of dueces.