Although I do not claim to have the answers to the union question as it relates to the airline industry, I do know that my experience in business over 25 years has shown me that IN GENERAL, companies that rely on unions cripple their ability to provide exceptional products or service at a reasonable price. I make well over 4 times the amount offered to me as a first officer at a regional, and more than the highest paid captain at the same regional, all while flying piston twins at rates I negotiated with the owners and charter companies, all without any union representation. I get any day off I want, whenever I want it, for as long as I like. No, it's not paid time off, but it is MY choice. In my OPINION, if the unions were completely disbanned, the airline industry would become one where the best rise to the top and the bottom of the pile stay at the bottom complaining, just like in most other industries in the free world.