Nicolau Arbitration Award - Leonidas

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fact that in the coming years US Airways age-60 attrition is roughly four
times that of America West. This "contribution" that the, pilots of US
Airways bring to the merger can only mean, as their analysis shows,
greatly accelerated advancement for America West pilots, advancement
more certain than projected pre-merger aircraft growth since firm
orders, unlike age, can be renegotiated, cancelled or matched by
aircraft returns. The power of this attrition is not diminished because
some of it occurs, to the dismay of the America West pilots, in the first
officer, non-flying or furloughed ranks. Furloughs, the US Airways pilots
say, are not an issue because, at the present pace of recalls, all who
wish to return will do so and be active pilots. As to those pilots who
are now active, their retirements, regardless of their positions, create
vacancies that must be filled. It is also pointless, in the US Airways'
view, to suggest that consideration must be given to the possibility of a
change in the retirement age to 65. That possibility is remote and, if it
occurs, is well into the future. Besides, against the "magnitude of US
attrition," any change in the rule, would be "insignificant." With
respect to this point, US Airways also argues that attrition for reasons
other than age, much of which is age-related, will also be proportionally
greater in the US Airways ranks. It also asserts, in arguing that senior
furloughed US Airways pilots should precede junior active America
West pilots, that this would not have as much of an effect as America