Originally Posted by
flyingreasemnky
Not sure what the pilots would lose with a National Longevity list; the only losers would be the companies. Its the same basic concept of what trade unions like Electricians do so that you don't take a pay cut when you go to work for another company. The only way it would work is if it didn't take so long for a pay scale to mature. Also, it would require a national union to negotiate it into all the airline contracts. It really is just a theoretical way to solve a problem that this industry has where you are not compensated for your experience.
It probably never will be successful; I was just trying to explain a basic concept to someone that lacked knowledge. The concept of the difference between longevity and seniority seems to be lost on a lot of pilots (especially when a merger happens).
You're right. It would be a windfall for the pilots, and the companies would lose. Which is why, as you stated, it will never happen. "Real" unions can get away with this because they have their industry cornered. They supply all of the labor. If you're in a major city, building a skyscraper, you can't do it without the unions. Not only are airline pilots a dime a dozen, we have an "Association of independent MECs" representing us (not a "union", and worse, most pilots would sell their own mother out to either make more money or move up the ladder. This is why it will never work here.