Wiskey Driver, I'm sorry that you were so unmoved by anything I've said that you "weren't even going to respond", but from everything that YOU have posted, it's apparent that you have absolutely no understanding of how your situation at AW differs from the situation at Mesa. I am pleased for you and your pilot group that your contract is so good (especially because it directly benefits two people I know), but to say that anyone who agrees to less is hurting the industry is utterly devoid of logic or understanding of the current state of the industry (and esp. Mesa). To come up with a list of the companies that are in bankruptcy, in furlough, shut down, or THREATENING to do any of the above would take up an entire post... I am also unaware of any predatory tactics on the part of AW management immediately prior to your entering negotiations.
Just out of curiosity, do you think that SWA pilots are hurting the industry? They certainly make less than the pilots at the other Majors in the same equipment... And on average work more days, fly more hours, etc.
What about the pilots furloughed from Major airlines who have found work at regionals? Surely a furloughed AA pilot is a "seasoned professional" and is now working for a third of what he was making when flying those big silver planes... Is HE a whore? Is he less of a "seasoned professional" than YOU are since he is working for so much less than what he is "worth"??
How about all the pilots at USAirways, the USAirways WO's, United, American, et al, who are agreeing to pay cuts? Are they hurting the industry too, since they are now flying for less than either the industry average for their equipment or at the very least less than their contracts agreed to? I don't think this parallel is too far off the mark...
Do you think it's possible, just POSSIBLE, that it's too much to ask that major gains could be found in contract negotiations when the economy is in the toilet, the number of people flying is drastically reduced, and war was threatening?
How about the possibility that YOUR contract (or similar contracts) are the best we are going to see for a long while? Maybe Mesa's is the first of several contracts for big regionals that aren't going to see major gains?