I'm one of the Flex instructors who left last month. I put my request in 3+months ago and have not been forced to go another 3. I started flexing a few years back because I enjoyed instructing, because I got to help some really great crews learn a really great aircraft (MD11), and I became a more proficient pilot. So when the Contract hit us, that sucked but the above reasons still applied so I stayed.

Now as a level 3 all I do is checkrides and I'm bored silly. Then I hear that one of the high level managers said who cares, they can't all quit. So after insult is added to injury, I know it's time for me to go. And here I am in San Juan soaking up the sun in January realizing I've just given myself a promotion and a pay raise! And no more restrictions to 5 inviolate days off per month!. As far as draft goes, at 4 hours pay per day, draft pays only 6 in the schoolhouse. Get it? 15 days for 60 hours roughly, I can do 10 out/backs for that, then take 18 days off.

Just understand this. We've got some great people there who are good at what they do, and you need them there. If it were up to management, they'd hire outside professionals at 50k/yr who never flew in the complex system our crews do. And as for non members, there are not as many as you believe. I always wore my ALPA lanyard and so do most, even when I'm ****ed at ALPA.

I'll not miss the job, just the people.