If JA liquidated ASA, someone would benafit from the void we left behind. The Regional Air Line Association has even stated that the only "bulk growth" would be at the expense of another regional (we all thought Comair). If we were shut down, JA would recoupe his 425 mil through our assetts, and could even pick up a large % of the DAL flying through another RFP. He gets his money one way or the other. Personally I would rather be a part of his plan.
Businessmen don't guage themselves by pride content. It's all about the money- nothing more, nothing less. Money is the ultimate guage of success in this business. Busting a union, growing his own side of the fense, and retaining profitability/increasing profitability to come out stronger would be the ultimate for him. Unfortunately we are giving him an excuse to proceed with his backup plan if we continue to push our issues and price ourselves out of the market.
The truth is that if we give ourselves a reason to require scope, it's all over anyway. JA is willing to play ball with ALPA, but only to a point- then all bets are off and he will start to play his own game.