Originally Posted by
Riddler
I've been "sheltered" in the USAF for the past 10 years and I know next-to-nothing about labor unions. I'm about 1 year away from getting out of the USAF and pursuing an airline job. I've seen a lot of posts concerning unions, management pilots, and jumpseaters from hell.
Are there any recommended books about airline labor unions? I'm not looking to start any debates about pro-union versus anti-union.
It seems that there's a lot of hidden rules - stickers on pubs bags, tie pins, etc. What's the real story with all of that? I hope to get hired within a year, and I don't want to end up on some sort of "double-secret probhation" list because I unknowing wore the wrong tie clip.
Thanks,
Riddler
Don't sweat it. Coming from the military, it's a lot like making the transition to a new squadron. Don't walk in the door shooting your mouth off until you see how things work. Lay low for a little bit until you get the routine down and figure out the operation. At first you'll know little about the union, maybe even have no use for one. In time, it will become very obvious that things would be a whole lot worse without it.
I'd study the company. The union history can--and should--come after you're hired. IMHO