Snarge's comment and posting from Joe D are a bit in conflict with the non-political rules of this blog, but I think I missed the point Snarge was trying to make.

I will comment on this point, the industry (airline) only wants the minimal qualified person possible for the position.

Yes this contract, and the pilots it represents, have forgotten the gross weight airspeed formula by which the "big bucks" entered into the profession. However, regardless of the history published the masses have spoken over the years and they want higher pay for smaller airplanes.

Over 30 years ago a study was done to see if a B737 can be as economically productive as a B747 and the answer was no. The problem is a both airplanes have to fly at or above the break-even point and while a B747 will make more money above such a point it will also lose a great deal more under it. Therefore putting the right gauge of airplane on a particular route is critical.

What then should pilots get paid? What ever their collective bargaining abilities combined with market realities can establish and that is where the decision 83, gross weight airspeed formula, died.

How do I feel about today's UAL contract? We got the contract the present conditions allowed us to get.

Rant away!