Looks like Alaska mgmnt. has figured out how to have their cake and eat it too......Word is that in late Sept/early Oct..we are going to furlough 125 fo's and downgrade about 100 captains.....Contract talks have stopped and they are going to move ahead with a third party to do 12 -14 airplanes worth of flying....as in not replacing the last MD's that are leaving....... Word is that it is going to be flown by a carrier that has EMB170/190 options and that they will be doing the lionshare of Alaska's Portland operation.......as well as most of the bay area ops out of SEA. Given that we actually are in better shape to weather the oil crisis than even SWA it is pure contract ploy but unlike in the past they are actually going to do it.....What a great place to work.......Cut off your head to spite your body........