Clearly, DFR is not a problem, as the Ford/Cooksey litigations ended in a settlement that didn't even get the plaintiffs their legal costs back. The DFR issue is perceived, but it doesn't exist in actuality. The reason is simple: ALPA International does not direct negotiations at individual carriers. Each MEC makes its own decisions, sets its own goals, and negotiates its own contracts and other agreements. What DALPA negotiates is not influenced in even a minute way by any regional pilot, nor is what Comair negotiates in any way influenced by any mainline pilot.