Non-members not subject agency shop get the benefits of a union-negotiated contract and union representation for free. They pay no dues but reap the same benefits as those of us paying dues. We finance their union benefits. They laugh in our faces every time they come to work. They call us idiots every time members include them in dinners and drinks during layovers. They are beyond cheapskates; they are pond scum freeloaders.

The DCO crowd pays dues but for some reason (usually I think, they were members at one time but are venting about some perceived mis-deed by the union in their past), they choose to not be members of the union. I wish they would reconsider because as non-members, they cannot vote in elections nor do they receive the union-generated list of disputed pairings. From my small sampling of the DCO guys I know, I think they're smart (just not able to let go of a fight, I suppose) and I'd rather have them vote and be able to avoid DPs.