That's hilarious!

True, we all have a lot to be thankful for - a 1st class medical means we're healthy. A pilot's license and perhaps a type ratings shows that we have the ability to learn complex machines/procedures. And the list goes on....

I agree that there are bigger problems we, as the human race, might face. Although with this being an airline pilot forum and all, here's my two cents:

1.) Airline pilot contract negotiations are NOT for the feeble minded and the weak of heart. Airline management pays very smart people to extract every cent they can from labor. They are experts at playing on fear and emotion and they intend to make you steep in self-doubt at every step of the way of contract negotiations.

2.) Pilot contract negotiations are not an individual effort. It takes a unified pilot group to apply the leverage required to reach an equitable agreement. As a group, without unity, you have nothing.

3.) As mentioned above, techniques that instill fear and self-doubt are useful tools for management. Remember, it's not personal with them (usually) so don't lose sleep over something you can't change on your own. What you can do is attend union meetings, stay in the loop, and know that your skill has value. Above all, remember that it's only a unified pilot group that can apply the leverage needed to achieve the contract that you deserve.

I'll be the first to admit that power-based negotiations are less than optimal for the long term interests of both parties, but the reality is, it's what we're stuck with under the RLA. The ruse of interest-based negotiations have been the downfall of at least one pilot group (see UAL ESOP) as many have criticized it as a masterful power-play with a longer time line than traditional section 6.