The unions provide a base level of protection and services within this industry. Other than that pilots are basically on there own within there respective seniority standing within each group. Each relative seniority peer group will compete for items within a TA or contract which benefits them the most. These groups or individuals will rationalize there points of view to fit their particular situation. That's the way it is, and that's the way it will always be. Pilots at the bottom of the list want everything, and pilots at the top of list want everything. And you will want everything at every point of the list you are on at the expense of all the other people you work with.