In Fishfreighter Land all you have to do is call ALPA and they will make it all better for you.

Fish lives in a fantasy land where large amounts of unemployed pilots is a good thing. He cannot understand basic supply and demand, thinking more pilots applying for fewer jobs drives wages up.

Fish also has very limited brain capacity, unable to deal with the size and scope of the reasons for the industry being where it is. He can only see one bankruptcy case that happened several years before Virgin America started flying, that cited one airline, and he applies that to the entire industry. I don't know why he cannot see beyond that, maybe he likes living in the bliss of ignorance. He also fails to see that the airline in question in his court case, Jet Blue, has had several pay raises since that court case despite being non-union. He cannot grasp the fact that raises have occurred which have placed Jet Blue at or near the top of pay for A320 operators without union intervention.

He also fails to comprehend the fact that the existence of the very same union he adores, has kept the wages very low at several airlines that went through bankruptcy. Because of the ALPA contract, management does not have to address any pay raises, they can simply hide behind the contract and tell the pilots to pound sand. Any noise the pilots make is met with charges of illegal job activity and court orders for the pilots to stop. Management can drag their feet for five plus years of lower pay during contract negotiations.

Very simple, I was furloughed from a union carrier. I took a PAY CUT from my unemployment benefits to land a job at an ALPA carrier - living on food stamps. The opportunity at Virgin America came along and offered an immediate doubling of my pay, second year pay almost double the second year pay at the ALPA carrier, a significantly shorter commute, and a better outlook for upgrade. Other benefits included more off days, lower insurance co-pay, more vacation time and better per diem.

I know, all bad reasons for taking the job right fish? I should have stayed at the ALPA carrier and continued to live on welfare.

Given that there have been two pay raises in just over a year, I think it is a pretty good track record. Given that Jet Blue has had multiple and significant pay raises over the last ten years, I think the track record for pay increases for non-union carriers is pretty good.

How often have carriers like United, USAirways, Alaska, Delta and Continental had pay raises in the past ten years?

Real unions support a national standard for wages and benefits across the board, regardless of company. Real unions have national "seniority" lists, protecting pay rates and benefits based on years of experience, regardless of whether you move companies. Real unions actively involve themselves in the training of those wishing to enter the industry.

ALPA does none of those things and yet expects to be considered a real union. ALPA is the furthest thing from a real union, and yet many of its members, like fish here, like to stick their head in the sand and pretend it is. At best, ALPA is a loosely connected association, not a trade union.

Dude,
Fish is like a child that throws a little gasoline on the fire to see what happens. He never sticks around long enough to enter any meaningful discussion. He is probably sitting in his parents' basement laughing that any of us would even comment. He has done more damage to his beloved ALPA, on these boards, than he could ever do in person. If he cared so much about his beloved union, he would be singing its high praises in what it has done for his airline and him. We should all feel a little sorry for the lad with an apparent belief system of unionism and his athiest beliefs that he has spouted on another thread. I am sure he couldn't care less what most of us think about him, though. The worst thing he wants is to be ignored. Sad really.

The proverbial nail was just hit squarely on the head.

I hate to interrupt this fish fry, but I'd like to get back on subject. For the future, I'd recommend EVERYONE skipping on fish consumption all together. (see video below)

YouTube - Airplane! Don't Eat the Fish!

Mr. CAS,

I'm sure my, or anyone's reasons as to "Why" are probably in line with the answer you gave to this question in your interview; I'm sure you didn't say "cause Virgin is the only one hiring right now."

Could you please elaborate as to why you want to leave?

hey Nedude, when is the app gonna be available online?

Its is apparent that when you have no answer to the critique, you resort to personal insults. Sad, really.

I doubt the person who started this thread even works for Virgin. They just wanted to stir the pot. I am sure working there we would be great.