PCL, keep it in perspective, the Association is not being torn apart by this decision, the Association has weathered far worse storms than this. Yes there are 4,500 or so upset East pilots, but that was not the doing of the Association. JMHO, but the East MEC bungled this integration horribly, not the Association.
FDJ, I agree that the Association isn't really at fault, but that doesn't change the fact that we are facing our first viable decertification campaign since American broke away half a century ago. Losing the AAA pilot group would be a major blow to the Association, and I'm afraid that it's a real possibility.
I do agree, however, that the East really screwed the pooch on this. Hopefully someone in Herndon can figure out how to minimize the damage from this mess.