Determining the levels of 'principle' displayed by individuals is never easy and generally most subjective. There should never have been a 49er issue in the first place, brought on by union intransigence and over reaction from the company. The re-employment of the 49ers, unfortunately is now a forlorn hope. Their last real chance came during the negotiation of that last offer when the company stated it would accept all back with a face saving (for the company) interview 'to assess company loyalties'. I think, after much discussion with senior parties on both sides of the fence, that there was most assuredly a chance of settlement back then which included the terminated troops but any settlement now will not. Talking about principles, what do you think of the notion that the very senior managers wanted to terminate more like 200 rather than 50 and NR talked them down. Further, how can you be selling out the 49ers when they get their jobs back? The current strategy of the AOA sold out the 49ers in the first place and they continue to pursue a strategy contrary to the interests of the 49ers and other large groups of the pilot body. Almost 50% non-union pilot body now. When it passes that figure watch out for the new union. They might actually get somewhere with the company.