FG,
Maybe as a manager there you should be optimistic about huge potential growth in Europe, the Middle East and even the US. You could look to opening the Asian market and growing the Middle East.
I understand that your low ball predictions are intended to suppress the expectations of the pilot group. I understand the concept. But it didn't work for you before... why do you think that it will work now?
If you'll read my previous posts you'll see that I did acknowledge that a big driver in our 2006 financial results was that Europe finally turned a profit.
Also remember that Europe took a long time to grow until it was profitable (10years?), and we did not want to take on the burden of trying to grow another market until Europe was profitable.
I also remember how many times Europe losing money was brought up in the negotiations and the pilots comments at the time were 'screw Europe, we dont care about that, we want our money now'.
With that in mind, do you really want the company trying to create a new market now? If not now, then when is a good time? Especially since we will likely have renegotiations every five years?
My profit estimate was my own honest assessment, and has nothing to do with trying to set expectations. I also gave my reasoning for the lower estimate, what is your reasoning for a higher estimate? Either way, we will all know in about 9 months.