Originally Posted by
uptpilot
Or maybe this is the fact that the airlines are working to further erode the respectability and pay of the profession. Look at how the VA just today announced they are going to be using more Nurses with the ability to write prescriptions. (as if somehow prescriptions were the solution to every ailment) Doctors disagree with this practice but of course, they are not being listened to by management. A terrible VA is just about to get even worse!
Not a good example. The people you're referring to are called "nurse practitioners," and it's been well established that in many situations, including primary care, they have patient outcomes equal or superior to patients treated by doctors. The AMA, however, is a VERY strong union, and has done quite a bit to keep these providers on the outs... so while I object to your point in fact, in principle ALPA could take a page from the AMA's playbook.