We're looking better today than yesterday. Progress has been made, but there is still a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time.
It's the judge's discretion what to do. It's impossible to predict what will happen. Is extending the bargaining possible? Yes.
We have been preparing for expedited negotiations. We continue to meet with NWA management and believe we can reach a negotiated settlement, but only if management doesn't overreach in negotiations.
The bankruptcy threat is real. As you know, we have been preaching for two years now about Northwest's financial troubles.
Progress has been made in some areas, but there is still a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Our goal is to reach an agreement, but that will depend on management's actions at the negotiating table.
Hopefully, the extra time will allow us to reach a consensual agreement. There is a lot to be accomplished in a short amount of time.
We viewed it as a matter of when, not if.
We've asked management that question (when a new contract would be imposed) and they haven't given us an answer. It could be immediately or they could use it for additional leverage at the bargaining table.
All issues remaining have been discussed before. There is a chance we could reach a tentative agreement, but the final pieces of the puzzle need to be put in place.
Northwest pilots are prepared for all possibilities. They all understand that a strike is a lose-lose situation. I'd say any lengthy strike would liquidate Northwest airlines.
