Originally Posted by
NERD
In your world, how would pay and benefits work? Each pilot on individual contracts based on what they negotiate?
Fair question....of course not! They would be paid the going rate for their seat and position, same as everyone else, with raises for longevity (seniority) ...but now that airline must compete for the pilot with other airlines and will be forced to increase or match pay based on a free and open market....good for pilots.
Right now the airlines only compete for new co pilots. Historically what an airline pays it's top captains today will have very little to do with what they will pay their new hires in the future after they've built twenty years of seniority...assuming the airline is still around.
Outside of startups and some Asian airlines, how does the rest of the world work in aviation? IE: the KLMs, British airways, AF, Japan airlines, Quantas etc. How is hiring off the street pilots onto the list going to guarantee the best pilots? Just because someone has Boeing time doesn't mean they will be the best pilot/employee. What standard will they be held to? My guess is the current FAA standard?
Of course the current FAA standards...which I think are artificially low to allow 2500 hour jet captains at the regionals. Look at how check rides (esp at the regionals) have been dumbed down over the years. i.e. getting rid of circling approach requirements, etc.
If you are really interested read through my previous posts because I'm being very repetitive in this thread. I'm not alone in my perceptions.
This discussion isn't about making sure the airlines get the best possible pilots/employees, I don't see how that challenge would be any different anyway. That's management and the airline's problem. This discussion is about making sure pilots are allowed to compete on a level field and force their airline to match or raise pay with the threat of being able to get hired elsewhere for more money.
That last part is the main point of my argument but you keep adding all these other factors as if it's your job as a pilot to make sure your airline is properly staffed. Seniority is a tool of management, not a protection for pilots.