I think you'll find the view on the line is that the stakes on this issue are almost as high as for the pensions issue. This is a wholesale outsourcing of BA flying to a different pilot body, a body which could just as easily be flying work out of LHR a week after it's set up. This isn't covered by the existing scope agreement but I've yet to meet anyone who didn't see this as the thin end of a very fat wedge that BA would try to use hammer down our terms, conditions and career opportunities. I know BALPA see it as such soon, and if BA management are thinking, like you, that this is a storm in a teacup and the pilots aren't really that bothered then they have an unpleasant surprise coming their way. They want this airline running by May, they want T5 open in March and they still have round 2 of the pilots pay negotiations in February 08. If they want a fight then there's plenty of support around for one.