I joined the union MEC because I was so upset at the concept of the STV. On the other hand, the captain I flew with today voted for the LOA because he thought is was A) better than what we had B) protected our flying and C) thought STV was a GOOD deal...sort of a month's vacation for the family.
I disagreed on about all points...I think like MaxKts on this one. However, this guy isn't an indifferent idiot, or a MEM mafia guy...he is just looking at it from a different perspective than I would be.
However...like the LOA, I don't think think when faced with a SEASON away from home very many family guys are going to jump on the STV thing. Some single guys/divorced folks maybe....or families with no kids. But anyone with a family knows who there is NEVER a good time to be gone 3 months.
Again...time will tell.