Grooming for resale makes some sense, and could account for the stalled contract. My understanding is that Astar is on a cost-plus basis with DHL. At the conclusion of that agreement, DHL will no doubt be playing a very hard game of hardball with Astar. In other words, there's no reason not to pass costs along to DHL now, because they're not going to be a lucrative customer for Astar (or anybody else) in the future. Especially at their present size. In other words, Astar might as well $crew 'em now, because they're going to be $crewing Astar in 5 years.
Likewise, the pilots might as well get all they can now, because in 5 years, they'll be bidding against companies that will work for (and pay their employees at) half the rates curently in effect.
Labor costs can have a tremendous multiplier-effect on the net worth of a company, especially a company like Astar which exists largely on paper only. The value of such an organization is not in it's equipment (most of which would be parked in the desert if not for DHL) or it's operating certificate (common and easily attainable) but it's future contracts. Every dollar they can shave from the next labor contract will be worth at least 5 over the course of the next 5 years. Meaning that every single dollar they can shave from the next contract equals 2 or 3 in Dasburg's pocket when he sells. No wonder he's so reluctant to give them up...
What's the longest period of time JD has ever headed a company, anyway?