I was wondering if NW could really risk flying to Europe in the case of a strike. It is easy to imagine that in Europe, where labor (or as they say over there, labour) solidarity is much stronger than in the U.S., mechanics and others (including caterers and other personnel) might refuse to service the scab operated and repaired NW flights. Worst case scenario for NW is a plane could have a mechanical breakdown, no one would fix it, and the plane is stuck there until the strike is over.