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.

Don't sweat it. Coming from the military, it's a lot like making the transition to a new squadron. Don't walk in the door shooting your mouth off until you see how things work. Lay low for a little bit until you get the routine down and figure out the operation. At first you'll know little about the union, maybe even have no use for one. In time, it will become very obvious that things would be a whole lot worse without it.

I'd study the company. The union history can--and should--come after you're hired. IMHO

Reminds me of some other advice I got as a newbie in a new squadron. It's called the "30-60-90 day rule."

1. Shut up and observe for the first 30 days.
2. After 60 days, you can ask questions.
3. After 90 days, you can have your own opinion.

Riddler

If you're fortunate enough to get hired by an airline, I suggest you disregard the above "30-60-90 rule", for the first year, anyway. The reason is that most airlines have a probationary period, usually one year. It's within this time that you can be let go for virtually any reason. With no explanation at all if the company doesn't want to give you one. You could be called in to the chief pilots office and told that you're fired because you have (as an example) blond hair, and there's not a thing you could do about it. Not in the first year at least. After the anniversary of your hire date, then you can probably go immediately to step 3 in the above "rule." One of the nice things about working for a company that has a unionized pilot force, is the protection by the union, offered to the individual pilot. If a pilot manages to get in trouble, the union will represent you, hire lawyers (if needed) and try to resolve the issue between you and management, while trying to protect you and your job. At a non-union shop, I'm not sure if one ever gets past the employee-at-will environment, meaning that the company can treat you like you're on probation for your entire career. At any rate, good luck with the last year of your military obligation, and your airline job search.

"Confessions of a Union Buster" by Marty Levitt (?)sp is also a must read. Fair amouunt of confessional, but an enormous amount of reality. Many of these tactics were used on us at FDX during our struggle to unionize. Good luck.

4. After 120 days opine openly.
5. After 150 days, start calling in sick to go fly fishing.
6. After 180 days, question why you left the military.
7. After 210 days, wonder if you can get BACK in the military.
8. After 240 days, start asking yourself why you've voted republican all these years.
9. After 270 days, start asking how can we get paid more than company X.
10. After 300 seconds, ask yourself why you wasted your time reading my post.
11. Visit ALPA.org. Good luck with the transition.

Tom
I'm just kidding guys, so don't flame. :)