Originally Posted by rickair7777

There is nothing inherently interesting to the government in the outsourcing of regional flying. It is not particularly dangerous, decietful, or unethical. Everything is disclosed, as long as you read your ticket.

The government will NOT, even in the best of times, intervene in this industry strictly for the sake of pilot compensation. The government represents the best interest of the people as a whole, which in this case is measured by ticket prices...the lower the better! Most of the news media ( and passengers) think the recent rise in fares is a catastrophe (for them).

Pilots are not going to get what they want, need, or deserve via the graciousness of management, politicians, or the traveling public. Anything we get, it's going to be because we approach the problem in a strategic, unemotional fashion, set up the playing field to our advantage, then strike without mercy at the time most favorable to us, and TAKE WHATEVER WE CAN GET AWAY WITH! That is the nature of business, and we are in business for ourselves. Obviously part of the strategy needs to be to avoid killing the goose that lays the golden eggs! Also, CAREFULLY CALCULATED public displays of emotion can be effective in persuading stockholders and directors during negotiations.

As a professional 121 pilot, I do have some duties to the traveling public, which I fulfill regardless of the state of my compensation:
1) I come to work well rested (depending on schedule) and sober.
2) I do my job in a very thorough manner, and double and triple check some things that I might not worry about in my own cessna.
3) I will divert or cancel if in doubt, even though the company (and the pax) will be ****ed off about it.

My duties to the public DO NOT extend to the point of working for a single nickel less than I can squeeze out of the company...I am a dedicated professional, not a charity! Look at doctors, architects, and civil engineers...they are pretty meticulous about their work, but they don't come cheap.