Timbo, not too long ago I flew a Delta 767 across the Atlantic to Europe and I didn't have my own PTV and the food was so-so. Every Emirates flight has a PTV and the food is excellent. If US based airlines can't provide the basic services provided by everyone else in 2013, then maybe it is time to let Emirates fly from Europe to the USA. Fix your product to compete.
I'm not calling those guys "scabs."
But those examples have been used by scabs.
It does do something to fix the problem if it dis-incentivizes well-qualified pilots from taking a job there (i.e., squeezes the labor supply at ME carriers, forcing them to increase labor costs or hire unqualified pilots.)
If a guy knows he will never be accepted into the American pilot community after he takes a job there, he might think twice about taking a job there. Let's be realistic. No one wants to spend decades there.
In any case, we owe it to ourselves to do everything we possibly can to kick ME carriers in the nuts before they do the same to us. We as more to lose than anyone (except for perhaps the elderly, overweight cat ranchers. But they can always get work doing the same job at the diner).
ME carriers are thinking strategically. So must we.
Can we agree that neither the UAW, nor any other self-respecting union, would tolerate, condone, or otherwise enable the situation we're allowing right now--guys who choose to work for our mortal enemies, welcomed back with open arms.
Choose to work for our mortal enemies? Emirates or Qatar aren't your mortal enemies.
Your mortal enemies are:
1. Scope clause loosening
2. Increase in 70 seater RJ flying
3. See #1 and #2
4. RLA
5. Management
Don't forget, you voluntarily voted in a 32.5% paycut! Yes, you felt forced and yes there was probably no other choice, BK was inevitable, would have done far worse, etc etc. Dead horse, beaten up.
But stop pointing fingers at EK or QR when the biggest problem lies in pilots HERE and the actions they have taken in the past 20 years in regards to RJs, scope, and concessions/paycuts.