Is anyone seriously advocating this ? It wouldn't teach management or government anything. It would achieve what every terrorist organization in the world wants to do - shut down the American economy. Remember what happened to the airline industry after 911; shall we shut down all industries just so someone will learn the "valuable lesson - don't ******* with pilots." Professional pilots should also be responsible citizens.

 

I think the american economy is doing a good job of shutting itself down, starting with "ga user fees" and "the outsourcing US jobs." Among many other things of course. I don't like the idea of this strike anymore than you do but unfortunately an extreme measure like this seems to be the only thing that will grab their attention and force them to give in and do for the airline employees what should have been done years ago. The bottom line is that management is stealing from the employees. Would you let a burlgar get away if you caught him stealing your money, or god forbid your kids, while you're in your kitchen grabbing a midnight snack? I certainly wouldn't. Oh, what if he had a gun? You might have to take a few to extinguish the situation. Nobody fights for something worth while and comes out with no scars. There's nothing irresponsible about fighting for something you believe is right. But I do see where you are coming from and I respect your stance.

 

The advantage of One single union is that it could use the threat of bringing down the ENTIRE industry.... in other words use threats of destroying the US economy to gain leverage in negotiations. It no longer becomes employees versus the company but employees versus the Country.

Besides this is a capitalist society not a socialist one, so the government SHOULD NOT step in under any circumstances.

The current situation will just sort it self out with the market over time

 

User fees and outsourcing affect microeconomics. Shutting down an entire industry causes massive intruption of macroeconomics where the ecomomy (Stock market) is at record levels.

[/quote] Among many other things of course. I don't like the idea of this strike anymore than you do but unfortunately an extreme measure like this seems to be the only thing that will grab their attention and force them to give in and do for the airline employees what should have been done years ago. [/quote]

There are certain segments of the industry (ie. FOs) that are grossly underpaid and there are segments that are vastly overpaid (CEOs, senior management). It varies from airline to airline. Individual Company / Union relationship is the key to "leveling the playing field." Strikes against specific companies have been successful in the past and can do so again. During those times customers have choices.

Nation wide industry strikes (most are illegal) elicit swift and sometimes harsh government response - because citizens demand so. Remember the Air Traffic Controllers. I can't imagine it, nor advocate it, but the government could respond to an "Illegal" nation wide pilot strike by "revolking one of ten ATP licenses every ten days until the strike is over.

[/quote]The bottom line is that management is stealing from the employees.[/quote]

It's called a free market economy. Every company attempts to minimize its labor costs while rewarding management for good profit margins. Some succeed, some don't.



[/quote]Would you let a burlgar get away if you caught him stealing your money, or god forbid your kids, while you're in your kitchen grabbing a midnight snack? I certainly wouldn't. Oh, what if he had a gun? You might have to take a few to extinguish the situation. [/quote]

Took four in Vietnam. It puts things in perspective. Every time I think I am having a bad day, I shake the little box with those rounds inside and realize I having a good day.


[/quote] Nobody fights for something worth while and comes out with no scars. There's nothing irresponsible about fighting for something you believe is right. [/quote]

Fighting for what you believe in is one of the most important things we do. There has to be a "method to our madness" when we fight.

[/quote] But I do see where you are coming from and I respect your stance.[/quote]

Ditto.

 

No situation like this has ever sorted itself out; Pan Am...Eastern...Braniff? Hmmm.....The gov't needs to step in on this one because the pilots aren't going to gain any ground with management by themselves or with a union. Most of the union is leaving the pilots to fend for themselves anyway! What gives?

 

When all the ATP's tickets are snatched by the gov't, then what? They will burry themselves 12 feet deep if they pulled that off. No pilots = no airlines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ftrooppilot

It's called a free market economy. Every company attempts to minimize its labor costs while rewarding management for good profit margins. Some succeed, some don't.

Maybe it's time for capitalism to change it's ways just a little; a little bit of regulation so the people, the backbones, of the companies aren't getting stepped on all the time. I think the abuse of the free enterprise society we live in is starting to take it's toll. People work their tails off so that a few CEO's can prosper at our expense. What do the people get? Paycuts, retirement cuts, pension cuts, spit on and crapped on by the company. This shouldn't be an accepted practice in corporate culture, especially if you're the employee. Oh, how I wish we lived in a perfect world!

Took four in Vietnam. It puts things in perspective. Every time I think I am having a bad day, I shake the little box with those rounds inside and realize I having a good day.

My gratitude for your service to our country. I can't even imagine what Vietnam must have been like.

Fighting for what you believe in is one of the most important things we do. There has to be a "method to our madness" when we fight.

Perhaps pilots should read "the art of war" and "the book of five rings". Believe it or not, a lot of top executives have read these books and applied the concepts to their corporate strategies. The books could bring a different perspective on fighting a battle like the one pilots are facing today. Knowing your enemy is more than half the battle. It's just a thought.

[/quote]

 

Then Pilots would be regarded as terrorists, taken out, put in jail, and the economy would take a dive. Doesn't sound likely. Problem is that the Americansociety is been a freight train out of control. Columbine, Virginia Tech, WorldCom, Enron, Qwest, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Global Crossing,et el. Many Many companies, CEO's, members of the american public have been pushing the limit BECAUSE there is no one to STOP THEM! People, organizations and companies will continue to maximize their benefit until they are faced with a loss. Remember the stock market rally from 1999 to 2001. Unexplained euphoria until the CRASH. Then what happened? Tail between the legs of investors . . . . . Laws, regulations about transparency, etc . . .

I don't buy your terrorist notion. If all pilots pulled a strike, not only would we show that corporations are NOT in control (and they are only as good as their employees are) we would show the POWER HUNGRY folks in Washington D.C. that their grip on reality is so far removed Afrom current national situations AND that they really have no control over the country that they represent. This could cause a global uproar should this ever happen. A country't own citizens crippling it to stand up for what is right. HOW PATRIOTIC for the whole country . . .

 

The thing is, ALPA should be on these boards too getting a PULSE on the people they represnt or soon will represent. I would love to give Prater some of my ideas, but the ALPA website for communicating "IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY." That to me shows that this organization IS NOT welcoming people in with open arms. If people are willing to give them free ideas (Like Prater is zooming around the country asking for) THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE AN OPEN LINE DIRECTLY TO HIM.

JUST A THOUGHT. I KNOW I WOULD IF I WERE IN CHARGE.

 

What makes you think ALPA members don't peruse these boards? I know for a *fact* there are some National officers that read boards like this and Flightinfo. Do you think they are so naive that they don't know the discontent there is on the line?

Why should they say "What do you guys think about _________?"

 

As with anything, you want to be careful with just how much power the Federal Government has in any one faction...