Originally Posted by
Cruise
Great suggestion.
Instead of working to improve the lives of the JetBlue pilots and the industry as a whole, you'd suggest putting your tail between your legs and moving on to a new carrier. Without a legally binding CBA, your mgmt (or some other mgmt) will continue to erode the industry through poor pay/ work rules, etc...
Auburn, your attitude is precisely what's wrong w/ this industry today! Not enough pilots willing to step up to the plate and actually DO SOMETHING to improve our profession. Don't be a naive pawn in this career. Instead, try getting out in front and working to improve all of our jobs.....we can collectively improve the industry one legally-binding contract at a time. It's really up to your mgmt group; but, being unionized doesn't preclude your mgmt/ pilot group from having an mutually respectful relationship. Perhaps it will take several years. Perhaps it won't. However, one thing is certain, we must stop looking out for the individual pilot and start helping the profession. By doing so, you will inadvertently improve your career expectations and those of every other pilot to follow in your footsteps. Start looking at the big picture, not the egocentric view, you might find you'll actually have a career to look back upon when you retire.
Vote union, vote for the profession!
Not sure where you work, but contrary to popular belief, the sky is NOT falling here. Sounds like you work for a regional carrier, as I did at one time, where you absolutely need the protection from abusive management teams. JetBlue is not a perfect airline, but this place is paradise compared to the two other unionized carriers I worked for previously. Although I respect your opinion, JetBlue is much different than other airlines you are attempting to compare us to. This place was built with people in mind, and though the management team has disappointed us with some of their decsions, at the end of the day, I still believe in what they are trying to do. Not sure about your airline, but despite being over staffed after the busy summer, not one of our pilots was furloughed. I imagine our first CBA will include a furlough section, and next time we are overstaffed, some of my fellow pilots will be sent to the street. Now, tell me how that is a self-centered view of the world. I would likely be spared, but would not be jumping for joy that my friends would be put out of work. I would sooner accept a lower bid divisor to avoid anybody being sent off the property. That is called camraderie.
Good luck at your airline with your battles with management. I could not wait to get away from that, and am much happier here. I only hope we stay this way so you might be able to appreciate the difference as well.
Thanks for your concern.