As I understand it when BALPA and the Company get together for discussions one of the first items on the agenda will be for both parties to agree to extend the period for industrial action from 28 to 56 days. This takes away the time pressure for both sides to reach an agreement in an unrealistic time frame.
Of course the Company can refuse this request but then they really would be sprinting towards the cliff edge.
By my calculations BALPA can wait until 6th Sept to give the Company 7 days notice of a strike in all 3 divisions. Hopefully the aroma of coffee will have percolated to the higher echelons of DH by then.
Likewise, no chance of Baby covering Mainline/Regional flights as Baby pilots are spread as thin as butter on BR sandwich.
