Throwing the "baby out with the bath water" comes to mind , however the idea of changing the "system" is one that deserves serious consideration. The airline pilot profession is the living, breathing example of the old saying "learn from your history or you are doomed to relive it." The old Civil Aeronautics Board, CAB was the primary agency that enabled ALPA to have it's limited success prior to deregulation in 1978, but the CAB was eliminated with deregulation and ALPA has never adapted to that change, conducting business as it has since its creation in the 1930's. For example, ALPA still advocates for "pattern bargaining" even though the only successful pattern bargaining that has occurred since 1978 is that conducted by airline managers as they have successfully used this tactic to diminish our profession to bus driver status, my apologies to bus drivers. There are many things ALPA could have done, and still could do, but ALPA has been primarily focused on its own survival to the detriment of the profession. Ask your ALPA officials what ALPA is doing to effect a change with the RLA and you will get a blank stare. Airline managers have taken control of the entire process, especially with the aid of the NMB, causing negotiations to go on for years when it is to managements advantage. As long as the current system remains in place the airline pilot profession will continue to sink into the abyss, offering a career that is no longer respected nor adequately compensated to attract the best and the brightest.