It occurs to me that we have a very recent example of the value of a union, although I will be the first to say that both ALPA and the Allied Pilots Association did only a fraction of what I consider to be their duty.

I am speaking of the Brazilian ExcelAir/GOL collision. The pilots sat for 70 days, incarcerated without charge, in violation of ICAO Annex 13 process of Accident Investigation. ONLY due to the collective voices of journalist Joe Sharkey and a LOT of unionized pilots placing pressure on their national union--who, in return, placed pressure on the government and the Brazilians--did Jan Paladino and Joe Lepore finally get released. This SHOULD have happened by the single call of APA President Ralph Hunter and (lame duck) ALPA President Duane Woerth in a unified voice, instructing all represented pilots to refuse trips to Brazil not only until Jan and Joe were returned to US soil, but until all international pilots were assured that ICAO Annex 13 process was assured.

The fact that the Brazilians charged them with a crime should still be reason enough for both Presidents to insist on a boycott; and, it is plain that no individual pilot should accept any trip to Brazil until those charges are dropped.

Based on just this one case, I see a very dim case for getting rid of unions; the national airline managers could care less if you rot in a Brazilian jail...they'll just call back a furloughee at half the hourly-rate.

Paladin?

Jetblaster