ToiletDuck

I seriously doubt it. Look at Amerijet. Had a few but in the long run couldn't run an airline.

enuff

You idiots that seem to know what the Spirit pilots should do...... They have spoken, they work there and are intimately involved with their situation. They know what the stakes are and are willing to risk all to better their environment. As someone who has struck and lived to tell about it one thing is for sure. There is no lower form than that of a a scab except for those that sympathize with scabs. And Clipper Jet find a new avatar...... you're not worthy of the proud heritage of those guys. Wannabe.

iPilot

Getting rid of unions in the airline industry will be next to impossible. Any situation where you have a skilled labor force that doesn't really have room for vertical movement (you can't really become a better pilot with age, at least as far as the job qualifications go). Much like a coal miner, there isn't anything stopping a company from continuously bringing in new workers at rock bottom wages. Plus there's the fact that aviation is a romantic industry, people are willing to work for subpar wages jut because it's the airlines. Lastly, as much as the airlines spout "safety first" and all that, they really don't follow through. When the going gets tough, don't think for a second that they will not intimidate pilots to fly beyond their means whether its sick, tired, or sick and tired. After all, there will ALWAYS be plenty of people willing to take your place and not stand up for safety.

So to wrap it up, as much as we like to blame the unions for all that is wrong with the world, and they do deserve quite a bit of it, it's a necessary evil for our business. As someone who has seen the other side of this (Part 135 charter) I can attest that not having the legal collective representation of a union, you will be abused. Just the way it works.

Herkulesdrvr

Great job! I'm sure that solved everything right? I would not be a scab but treating those guys like that accomplishes nothing and only discredits you. Have some respect for others is my recommendation.

gettinbumped

Nope. He's dead on right. Have some respect for others? There is no greater disrespect than crossing your fellow pilots while they are walking the line and making HUGE personal sacrifices to get YOU a better contract. Funny, you don't see SCABS volunteering to give up the better pay and working conditions that the STRIKING pilots won for him/her, do you?

That's what happens when you SCAB. It's a well known consequence that every pilots is aware of when they make the selfish decision to cross. If you make the decision to SCAB, you will be treated like one.

From your screen name, I'm assuming you are a military pilot. You, of all people, should know that you don't screw your buddy while he's out there doing something to improve YOUR life.

USMCFLYR

This is true gettinbumped....you don't screw over your buddies in the military. On the other hand - we (I am speaking of military personnel here) aren't use to having anything like a union either; and if you have spent a career in the military then this whole us-vs-them, labor-vs-management clash of ideals that seems to be everything in the civilian world is a mighty new concept.
The best thing you could do is to educate those in that position.

USMCFLYR

Herkulesdrvr

First of all I said I would never scab. Second, we live in the USA not the USSR which means we are entitled to certain freedoms, one of them being freedom of speech. If you don't like others opinions then maybe your in the wrong place. If you had a family member that was sick don't sit there and act like your righteousness would put your job ahead of a wife or child. Don't be so selfish.

fireman0174

In and of itself, my action was not going to change the world. However, it did remind them that life has its consequences and to remind those four guys what the vast majority of their brethren think about their actions.

It also sends a message to those who haven't had to deal with the issue of a strike about one of the consequences of crossing a picket line should they ever be unfortunate enough to be faced with that choice.

I think we've pretty much killed this subject.

Herkulesdrvr

One other thing, if flying hundreds upon hundreds of hours in the desert to preserve American life is your idea of "screw your buddy," then yes I have been screwing a lot of people since 9/11. I apologize.

DeadHead

Again, I think the sick family member argument is a horrible example. Health Insurance isn't canceled just because the pilot group goes on strike, I'm not a lawyer, but I think it's illegal to do something like that. Secondly, if the management is slowly chipping away at health benefits anyway, continuing to support the management by crossing a picket line is doing more harm to your family anyway in my opinion.

Again I think it is just a bad example to use, but regardless not supporting your fellow colleagues during a strike is detestable at best. T