I hope so too. Speaking personally, it's a function of the PERCEPTION that BACC are going to stop us flying any more 146/RJ types. I know it wouldn't actually stop us flying our existing 5 hulls, but it would be seen as a very good move to at least agree that this particular size of a/c could be used by our guys. I concede your points about Gatwick and Heathrow - but surely compromise is the answer. Conceding 120 rather than 100 seats isn't going to affect the next generation of regional jets anyway, as we had always been told they would be 70 to 100 seats at the biggest. In the meantime, whilst we (honestly) sympathise and understand about the forced moves (we've got some too!!) we can't see how letting BACE have access to the RJs is REALLY going to affect anyone's mainline career significantly, now or in the future.
I'm glad some of the heat has come out of this debate, and lets hope all the BALPA reps can sort it out soon!
