cni187,

The reason the more senior guys are disecting the TA work rules is because they have learned from bitter experience that the work rules RULE.

Pay rates alone don't tell the whole story. Work rules are where the cheese is hidden. It could be a lovely melange of tasty cheese on the cheese board or there could be a really stinky limberger plopped in the middle of the tray.

Money = Good
Work Rules = Even Better
Money + Good Work Rules = Even More Better