Obviously there is a benefit to being hard nosed and going for the kill… But I’m sure you could imagine that most of us would understand if we demanded four-day trips with late shows, early releases, worth 25 hours that have long layovers… That’s probably not going to happen, albeit for the top 10%. In other words, somethings Gotta give in that equation

In the same way if we are enjoying a growing, profitable airline that is expanding its footprint across the world and has growth opportunity for the pilots as well as plenty of premium pay… is it gonna be hard to keep having the leverage we have if pilot supply was keeping up with demand. The reason we are here at this inflection point, is because there are not enough bodies in the system. That will likely change in the next 10 years, but I would take Delta and their morale has a great learning lesson. They have a good contract, make a lot of money, but are a stagnant airline that is not growing, and puts a higher premium on their margins, then their marketshare.

If you look at our ticket prices right now, I don’t think the yield and generating money is an issue. But if we really want to restrict their ability to grow (through lower reserve and line pilot utilization), which of course is an option, I think that may have some negative effects for us as well. I don’t know the right answer, but I would be careful just throwing out road-blocks to the company, and saying it’s not our problem. “Hurdles” are one thing, such as where they allocate their profits and directing more of it to our pockets, but “roadblocks” that are actual preventative measures on growth, are another