As I have said in other threads...there were and still are many other airlines that started prior to B6 and their pay scales have been low for many years. In fact, B6 offered a pay scale that was above some of these carriers that have been around since the 90's. Many of the legacy ALPA carrier A320 pay rates are actually lower than the current rates at B6. Did B6 cause that? No, as you stated Red, the courts escalated the process and the respective managements took full advantage. B6 had nothing to do with it, period.

With regard to B6 having protection if we go to bankruptcy...obviously we have nothing. We have nothing now which is why our E190 pay scales have been so terribly dismal. I agree with one thing for certain...without a union we have zero protection from anything. What the company wants is what happens. However, in bankruptcy with ALPA or any other union, as soon as the contract is gone...union carriers have no protection either. You are simply at the free will of the bankruptcy court judge. A320 pay rates at Airways are still terribly low and they have been out of bankruptcy for awhile now. In fact, those rates are still lower than rates at B6. So...when does the union bring those rates back to pairety with pre 911 scales?

ALPA is not the target here, nor is it the point. Honestly, I have been with ALPA for 20 years now and I have had good and bad. Surprisingly, more bad than I believe should have been do to politics between the union and management. Any union could be mentioned, however, it is ALPA that continues to allow the dismal pay scales for regional airline pilots flying jet equipment. Stepping stone or not...a post 911 regional flying job is now considered a career. Furthermore, what about the guys that are happy with a regional career, even pre 911? Do those guys deserve less pay for flying complex regional 70-90 seat jets simply because they are content in their current position?

I am sorry Redeye, I don't agree with that at all. If we are going to talk as though unions are the end all, be all and the right way to go in this business regardless of everything else that is happening then we need to protect everyone. Not just the majors, every single union airline. Are you willing to leave your seat and strike in support of ASA, ComAir, or even another major airline to obtain fair wages? I kind of doubt it.