After 4 Years, 11 Months, 3 Weeks and 3 Days

Got it.

I understand that. I'm just trying to learn about the enviromment. Part of a company's ability to make money rests in the human capitol of their employees. Keeping them happy and hard working is in the best interest of the company. I'm just wondering if the companies fail to realize that, or if there is something else going on. At the same time, workers know that their company needs to make money or they won't have a job anymore.

Maybe I'm just naive, but it seems like if the management/worker relationship was good, then both parties would benefit and the union wouldn't be necessary. I'm not trying to bash the unions here. I'm trying to understand their necessity and culture so that if I'm ever in one, I won't be caught in a Catch 22 of values. It's pretty foreign to me at this point in my life.

I've seen and heard a lot of "horror stories" about management/union relationships in the airline industry. Particularly the allegations from one side (They're trying to screw us over) versus the other (They're driving us out of business). Right now I'm trying to understand the origins of these debates (chicken and the egg) as well as separating myth and urban legend from facts about life in the airlines.

I'm going to read the suggested books, so maybe that will help me answer the questions that I have.

Honestly? Never. In fact, I've most often seen it the other way around. The closest I've seen was the HMM trying to fly us on the extreme end of currency. Even then, though, we were still within the letter (if not spirit) of the regulations.

I get your point. Airline employees feel that they need representation to keep them from the excesses of management. I'm trying to figure out why that is.

To all reading this: I realize that this may be a "hot button" or emotional issue to you. I'm not trying to insult your unions, employers, or you personally. I'm just trying to figure out how the system works and why it is the way it is.

Come on... That meeting/board that absolutely must happen regardless of 'Crew Rest'?

Here is the problem... The company works based on the Legalities of the Regulation.. They don't care how safe or how hard it is on YOU, the employee.. It is about cheaper and more effecient.. The military has been doing more with less for years.. With no ability for the employee's to object.. Unity is the only way to stand up against the abuse of manpower.. I know when the CO wanted up jets he worked the crap out of our maintainers (ruined a couple of marriages, I'm sure, caused some fatique related injuries-damage to property, etc). Unions are not perfect but it is the best system that exists right now to have some representation (ie buffer) with the higher ups that care only about the bottom line.

SWA is losing their some of their competitive edge. As the dollars get tighter and the profits decrease, we'll see what their management's true colors are. But so far, I'd agree with you they probably have the best relationship but maybe not as rosey as some think.

Of course this just the grape vine speaking. There is at least one pilot on here in a much better position to speak to that.

Amen to that...f'ing little bastards.....

I'll go fly for SWA if they ditch the SkyHags/SkyFags and get the hot hooters girls in hot pants back.. (I don't remember the 70s, but I saw pictures)

Congrats HAL, that's great news!

CONGRATS HAL!

And just to stay on topic.

Our favorite substitute teacher in elementary school played us songs on his guitar instead of teaching, and then he would tell us stories about his dog, baseball collection, and maintaining F-4s and A-7s on Yankee Station.

Then we would all go outside for PE, and he'd yell without fail, and much to our delight, "Kickball!! Boys against girls!"

Best part was, he looked EXACLTY like Al Bundy, a fact he hated to be reminded of.