As I posted just now on the Avcanada website. And no, I'm not an AC jockey:
I too call BS. If so much of the future plans of AC depend on these new machines, and they are that much more fuel efficient than current equipment, it seems to me that it's management who is cutting off their nose to spite their face. We don't even know what specifically the company was asking for that the pilots didn't like. We have all heard rumours that it wasn't pay, or not all pay, but working conditions. The first 787 wasn't supposed to be delivered until 2010 and the current agreement goes until 2009. It seems to me you have a little time to revisit the issue. Yes, the first 777's are coming later this year. Keep negotiating.
This is a move by Milton to try and force the pilot's to be desparate and make them look bad. From my point of view, it seems the opposite has happened. Good on ACPA!