United/Delta circa 2000 lasted less than 18 months. Nice contracts--sexy payrates--and absolutely meaningless when the company hit hard times. I'm a proud ALPA member--but the goose only lays golden eggs when its well fed and making money. The current UPS/FDX contracts may not be as "sexy" as the higher contracts at Delta or United, but judging by the number of those guys now applying here I think I am more than satisfied. There is a VALUE to having a secure career, and I'll take a slightly lower payrate at a company where I don't lose sleep over chapter 11s or mergers verses a higher payrate that may only be temporary.