That is so true.

Yeah I do work for DAL, hence I'm very aware of how you have to be careful. We had a bunch of guys sued by DAL back in 2000. Once the contract was signes, the hostages had the lawsuits against them dropped. Even now you can barely mention overtime flying on our forum without having to add a bunch of disclaimers.

I'm am very familiar with one of the UAL pilots and their actions. I told my friends that knew this person to stay as far away as possible and NOT participate in what was advocated because I knew UAL would not let this slide. When you are getting furloughed, your job is to take care of your family first...not spend a bunch of time kicking the company in the nuts on the way out. Those of you that say the sickout wasn't organized are kidding yourselves.

My family and I have been through multiple furloughs in my career...I undertand being angry...especially at incompetent, vindictive managment regimes. I get it. But my point is, as a union we do everything together or we do not. And with our limited leverage due to the RLA, Presidential Emergency Boards, BK rulings, etc. it is imperitive that when we take action it is in a smart, calculated, legal fashion. To do otherwise puts the effectiveness and possibly the financial solvency of our union at risk.

And as for not costing ALPA a dime, I'm sure the court costs are free? Since we lost, are we not going to pay for UALs court costs too?

As for the individuals involved, I hope ALPA protects them to the best of its ability since they have more important things to worry about than sitting in court rooms all the time.

You really don't know what you're talking about. I know everyone involved without having to hear it second hand from a "friend" and am telling you that you are wrong. Flat out wrong.

And as for not costing ALPA a dime, I'm sure the court costs are free? Since we lost, are we not going to pay for UALs court costs too?

No, not free. But you have paid nothing. Your dues are the same with no assessments (for now). That may change in the future, but the idea that we are costing you money is crazy. If that is the case, I could argue that the DAL/NWA SLI is costing me money.

So using your logic, the AIG bailout, financial institution bailout, irresponsible-mortgage-holder bailout and pending Big 3 bailout aren't costing you or I anything either, since taxes "are the same?"

NO. We are talking about ALPA contingency money here, not debt. Just like when ALPA funded DALPA's court battle or when Astar got money to fight the DHL debacle. Are you paying that back? I didn't think so. Apples to oranges my friend, but nice try..thanks for playing.;)

Pilot unions will never win here. Remember APA's "Operation Fire at Will" about ten years ago? Lasted about an hour, as I recall, before Clinton ordered them back to work.

I agree. That is why we pay dues. That is what the money is there for.

It seems clear that the injunction is on the surface a victory for managements world wide, but the converse is a most interesting thought. If the pilots go into a "You pretend to pay us and we will pretend to work" mode on all levels, there is very little that they at mgt can really do about it. The conflict dynamic is limited only by the imagination, if we allow ourselves to focus on areas that are easily tracked and quantified we are doomed to lose. We are even more doomed to lose if we limit ourselves to tactics that are legal. The laws are written by politicians who are bought and paid for by the corporations and anything that really works has been outlawed a long time ago. Kudos to the UAL guys who at least tried something even if it got whacked a bit by a court..at least they tried.

Best luck to everyone in this profession!!!

It ain't a fun time and hasn't been since 9/11 and even before on my estimate.

Having said that, I'm going to be a male gigilo in Las Vegas, I'm 6'2" and weigh 190 lbs, all muscle and a large XXXXX.

Just kidding! My wife however wishes all of the above was true!!!

I'm staying associated with aviation but will not be flying. I will however have potential job opportunities I will post.

For me/my family, it isn't about the income, but rather, the quality of life the income can make available. True, life is what you make of it. If your gone well over half of the year and it takes a day when you get back just to feel "normal" enough to handle home life.....time to do something else.

UAL ain't my cup of tea anymore. I wish all there and at all airlines well. Things will just get more interesting watching the economy tank.........

My prediction is other carriers will be parking more aircraft/furloughing more soon enough. IMO, this economic decline is on the beginning of the decline and no where near the bottom.

Again, good luck to all.

fxdwg