Originally Posted by
Lewbronski
His statement highlights a weakness of pilots as a labor group in general: the vast majority of pilots identify as conservative/libertarian yet their livelihoods depend on the efforts of organized labor. That dissonance sets the stage for often baffling behavior.
The particular guy who made that statement is an avowed libertarian and believer in Q-Anon. He has also been very supportive of the concept of organized labor in general. On the other hand, he is highly skeptical, with good reason, of both SWAPA and corporate management. Mix all of that together, and it sometimes produces thoughts and statements like what he said. He's a good guy, but it's difficult to balance all of those conflicting philosophies.
It's hard to hear all of that when you are facing the very real possibility of a lost job and income a few months from now. I'm really sorry you're in that position. I might be too. A lot of us might be. This whole covid situation sucks on many, many levels. 20 million unemployed so far. 45,000 dead. Who knows how many more? A lot of suck and sadness and fear right now. Understandably, emotions are running high.
Lew, I appreciate your response and explanation. I’ll take your word on the “...a good guy...” part, but he sure made a fist impression on me a quite a few other newbies. More importantly, it wasn’t just him. I have an adjusted view of the level of brotherhood in SWAPA. My last trip, we DH’d a Capt in the back to his overnight... him and about 2 other people on the plane total. After we put the plane to bed and walked out to the the curb and call for the van, the hotel said ‘the van just picked up one of you, and will be back in 15 minutes.’ Yep! Our DH Capt couldn’t wait 5 more minutes for us, or ask if we’re all going to the same place. Thanks Buddy! That thread struck a very similar note with me. It is what it is.
For the record I am not one who wants concessions at all. Period. Like the FO on the thread in question, I have backup plans and will get by. But is the general SWAPA consensus that 120+ TFP/month is the new min guarantee? Like ramp thinks ‘10 minutes prior is the new 5 prior’?