Union Info
 

I've been "sheltered" in the USAF for the past 10 years and I know next-to-nothing about labor unions. I'm about 1 year away from getting out of the USAF and pursuing an airline job. I've seen a lot of posts concerning unions, management pilots, and jumpseaters from hell.

Are there any recommended books about airline labor unions? I'm not looking to start any debates about pro-union versus anti-union.

It seems that there's a lot of hidden rules - stickers on pubs bags, tie pins, etc. What's the real story with all of that? I hope to get hired within a year, and I don't want to end up on some sort of "double-secret probhation" list because I unknowing wore the wrong tie clip.

Thanks,
Riddler

Start with "Flying the Line" Vols. 1 and 2. I think Amazon may have it. Next, move onto "Hard Landing".

As a newbie, most of what you need to know will be explained after you get hired. Unlike long-shoremen or plumbers there is no secret handshake requirement to get a job. Unlike other professions, the airlines hire pilots, not the unions. There are really only a few job-search issues related to unions which you need to be aware of...

1) There are several unions out there... some, called in-house unions, are unique to only one airline (SWA, AA). There are also two large national unions: ALPA and Teamsters. Which union you end up with is almost not worth worrying about (although I personally have a few issues with the teamsters).

2) Non-union shops: There are several non-union airlines out there...lack of union can be an indicator of sub-standard work rules and pay, but you would really have to look at the specifics of the company in question. I wouldn't absolutely rule out a non-union shop, but be careful.

3) The one thing that MIGHT trip you up in your job search could be at an interview if the topic of unions comes up (I'm not even sure they are ALLOWED to discuss this). If you're talking to an interview captain you might have to walk a fine line...you don't know whether he's a big union boy, or a management captain who dislikes the union. I'd avoid expressing too strong an opinion either way unless you know where the guy's coming from. Since you're coming from the military, nobody's likely to expect you to have much knowledge or opinion on unions anyway.

Flying the Line both Vol 1 and 2, are a history of ALPA and a MUST READ..

But you'll get the best info from other pilots that have both worked at union and then non-union jobs and can tell you the difference.. Night and Day.

I'm in the same boat Riddler, perhaps even more so as I spent the last 19 years in the UK military, so even more detached. I've just ordered the recommended reading at Amazon, so hopefully will be better informed soon, best of luck....

Here is a pretty comprehensive list on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Labor-Unions-A...595898-8669602

I'd second (or third) the recommendation for Hopkin's "Flying the Line Pt. I & II". They are both pretty quick reads and give a fantastic historical backdrop to "whys" of pilot labor today.

You've also stumbled into another great resource in this forum. If you have any specific questions, there are past and present union reps on the boards - ask away!

If you are serious about getting a job in this environment I would not waste time studying about unions. You should be researching the companies where you want to work and networking. Just my $.02.

Networking and learning about various airlines is great advice, but with agency shops you rarely get the company without the union.

Check out several website that may provide some info. Also, the book recommendations you have gotten are spot on. The airline industry is unlike many others. Unions are an important part of the job, whether you like ALPA or Teamsters or anything else it doesn’t matter as long as you educate yourself about why they exist.

From a Military perspective I look at Unions as the Company CO (in your case Squadron CO) that took care of his men/women. He wasn’t always a favorite but when you needed someone at bat for your unit it was good to have him.

www.alpa.org
www.aflcio.org

Call ALPA and they will sent you copys of flying the line 1 and 2 for free, it should only take them about 3 days to get to you.