I've actually been out on a medical for two or three months here and there over the years. I had been of the same mindset as you until I actually had to try to make it on our super-confusing web of disability programs and lack of benefits when you run out of sick time at this place.

It just highlights to me how badly we need to get our act together and force the company to give us an industry leading contract that includes an industry leading disability program. But, like I've said before, given our history, I have little hope of that actually happening.

Further evidence of our blundering became evident in the last few days. Apparently, without any prompting from the company nor anything gained in return from the company, SWAPA is spending our dues money and union resources to lobby Congress for a waiver for the MAX-7 to the requirement that all aircraft certified after the end of the year be equipped with an EICAS system.

The fear, on SWAPA's end is that, either:

1. If Congress doesn't waive the requirement, the FAA will require a new type rating for the -7, OR
2. Boeing will shelve the -7

If, in the case of 1. above, section 1.M. of our contract would be triggered, requiring a reopening of negotiations and prohibiting the flying of a new type until an agreement can be reached ("the Company shall not place such aircraft in revenue service, or implement as applicable until the above provisions are negotiated and agreed to by the Association").

If 1. occurred, that would be called "leverage."

But the much more likely scenario is that Boeing, unlikely to want to lose its orders for the MAX-7 and -10, will lavish dollars upon Congress for waivers for those aircraft instead of simply shelving them. My guess is that it will obtain the waivers because, as we all know, money makes the world, especially in DC, go around.

But if Boeing is unsuccessful in obtaining those waivers, then SWA either converts the orders to MAX-8's, picks up used -8's, decides to finally buy a new aircraft type, or, least likely, buys out a competitor.

Regardless, why are we spending union dues and union time trying to solve the company's problems for them for free? What are we getting in exchange for our efforts? Didn't the -800 SL teach us that goodwill is never returned at this place? Or are we, like a battered spouse, going back for another black eye?

Haven't we learned that it's just business?