My guess as to why Cape Air didn't pay dues until they were contractual, as with Amerijet is that both started negotiations during Treichler's reign. The new IBT administration felt that there was a lack of representation during initial negotiations due to no one having a financial interest. Taking dues immediately was thought to enhance participation of the pilot group. I am assuming that this is what is happening at Omni. Too many guys complain that the "union" whoever it may be, was not doing anything for them, even though the guy had never laid out one penny of his own money. First contracts can be real difficult, although it seemed companies like Omni wanted to play ball. And as for AJT taking a concessionary contract, there wasn't one ounce of input from that pilot group towards a decent contract, so they got no one to blame but themselves. The rebels who forced AJT's hand were no longer even employed by that company. You get what you earn, so dig in and force the company to give you a humane contract.

One last point about any union contract. You cannot believe how important it is to have free legal representation in your time of need. The old days of freight and charter out of South Florida was filled with horror stories of summary firings and leaving pilots down in South American jails or looking for their own way home. Google Fine, Fleming, Rich, etc. to see their history. Thank your lucky stars that the IBT has locked down almost all of the present companies that run out of MIA. That place was an abomination not too long ago.