"This company hired most of us specifically because we are "professionals." Most of us have significant education and managerial experience that allows us to both work together to solve problems, and to use our background to actually solve those many issues that pop up every day on the line."
Well, you might be right about that.
"Perhaps if we viewed ourselves as the white-collar workers that we are, we would be more aggressive in negotiations, demanding the compensation and work rules that we have both earned, and that maintain a professional level of competence at this unique airline."
I think you're wrong about that. Many of the blue collar workers know how to make it happen a lot better than the white collars ones.
We need some instruction from the SEIU and the Longshoremen.