Back in 1993, when Orville, Wilbur, and I worked at Suburban/Alleghney Commuter/USAir Express (all one-in-the same), we, as a wholly-owned subsidary of USAir handed them a 95%+ strike vote and intended on walking.

Although unconfirmed, we had heard that USAir contracted to Florida Gulf (MESA) to sit in hotel rooms on the eve of the strike to fly our routes the next day.

However, <factual evidence> the strike was averted we were awarded a fair contract and USAir in turn farmed out 1/2 of our flying and every First Officer received a furlough notice and half the Capts. downgraded to the right seat.

Where did all that flying go to ? You guessed it Florida Gulf-Mesa Airlines.

I spent almost 5 years at a commuter airline and never upgraded, while I watched my job and upgrade farmed out to someone that could do it cheaper than I.

Grumble Grumble..I knew I should've had a V-8,

FF