is there a single pilot here who is not a union supporter, or do they just never speak up? personally, i feel that unionized labor, in general, is no longer necessary in most professional fields and creates inefficiency. It would be hypocritical to make an exception for my own profession.
Are airline pilots in general pro-union, or do we admit the inefficiencies it creates and support only our own union for the arguable purpose of higher pay?
I look at it as a necessary evil. If everyone does the right thing all the time, it's not necessary. People change, bosses move on, etc. Having been in this industry for a dozen years now, I wouldn't work for an airline without one. Don't know where you've been but if you look at the pay for the average 'union' airline pilot, your argument holds no weight.
The following aren't my words. Just paraphrased from a response to an article I read, but I generally believe with what was said:
The reason why unions are necessary in the pro aviator field, as opposed to other professional fields, is because of supply and demand. In OTHER professional fields, people are able to carve themselves a niche of unique experiences and abilities. Through education and unique work experiences, they are able to attain skill that no one else has. These unique skills are highly valued by these companies, and allows a person to have LEVERAGE when it comes to negotiating pay, benefits, and other compensation. There are not hundreds and hundreds lined up right behind him or her; this leaves the company in a bind, if they are interested in bringing those unique skills and experiences into their company. They have to provide the compensation that the person is looking for, or they won't attract these sorts of candidates. ON THE OTHER HAND, in the pro aviator field, there is no real way to have a niche of unique abilities and experiences. There are hundreds with the same abilities and same experiences. If a pilot does have something unique about their experience, it may make for a good interview story, but it would give the pilot NO LEVERAGE, if he or she had to negotiate his or her own pay. This is because there are hundreds and hundreds of pilots lined up right outside the door, ready and willing to take the job for worse pay and worse benefits. Airline management has proven that when they do get desperate for pilots, experience goes right out the door. They will take anyone with a pulse and FAA minimum requirements. This kills any individual negotiating leverage a pilot may have had, when the supply and demand curve begins to favor the pilot. Management just takes it upon themselves to readjust the supply and demand curve, when supply is short, by lowering the minimums. What it comes down to, it is almost always in management's best interest to compensate less. Pilots are looked at as a labor group, and not seen as individuals. Airline management's pay and compensation is directly related to meeting operational goals in an effort to operate a profitable business. If you're paying a labor group more than you have to, you are not doing your job, as management. You are needlessly throwing money out the door, and cutting into profits. They have proven they will undercut in any way possible, in order to increase profits. This is where pilot unions come in. They are a united front against management's united front against pilot compensation, and help curb the supply and demand issues that plague this profession.
Last edited by 1900luxuryliner : 03-25-2009 at 02:48 PM.
I think you can look at the demise of this 'profession' and pay directly tied to the unions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdub7588
is there a single pilot here who is not a union supporter, or do they just never speak up? personally, i feel that unionized labor, in general, is no longer necessary in most professional fields and creates inefficiency. It would be hypocritical to make an exception for my own profession.
Are airline pilots in general pro-union, or do we admit the inefficiencies it creates and support only our own union for the arguable purpose of higher pay?
Two brilliant posts, proving the old adage:
"You can't legislate common sense and you can't outlaw stupidity."
My guess is that you can expect these two to be crossing the first picket line they see.
Might I suggest you both search out rewarding careers at your freindly local WalMart? They love to put small businesses out of work in communities and love employees who are willing to stick their fellow "associate" in the back to get ahead. Sounds like they'd love you.
Yes, Walmart is almost as evil as I am. Doesn't matter how many millions of people have a higher standard of living because of Walmart. Doesn't matter that they usually have a 25 to 1 application to available job when they open a store. They are pulling this country right down the drain. Meanwhile, unions have singlehandedly made things like our education system tops in the world.
I'm anti-union only because I believe in the free market. That being said unions have made a lot of jobs safer over the years, but with OSHAA and other regulations in place that is no longer an issue.
Before I get attacked, I've just started to read Hard Landing, and will be reading Flying the line I and II after that.
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