That's hilarious!

True, we all have a lot to be thankful for - a 1st class medical means we're healthy. A pilot's license and perhaps a type ratings shows that we have the ability to learn complex machines/procedures. And the list goes on....

I agree that there are bigger problems we, as the human race, might face. Although with this being an airline pilot forum and all, here's my two cents:

1.) Airline pilot contract negotiations are NOT for the feeble minded and the weak of heart. Airline management pays very smart people to extract every cent they can from labor. They are experts at playing on fear and emotion and they intend to make you steep in self-doubt at every step of the way of contract negotiations.

2.) Pilot contract negotiations are not an individual effort. It takes a unified pilot group to apply the leverage required to reach an equitable agreement. As a group, without unity, you have nothing.

3.) As mentioned above, techniques that instill fear and self-doubt are useful tools for management. Remember, it's not personal with them (usually) so don't lose sleep over something you can't change on your own. What you can do is attend union meetings, stay in the loop, and know that your skill has value. Above all, remember that it's only a unified pilot group that can apply the leverage needed to achieve the contract that you deserve.

I'll be the first to admit that power-based negotiations are less than optimal for the long term interests of both parties, but the reality is, it's what we're stuck with under the RLA. The ruse of interest-based negotiations have been the downfall of at least one pilot group (see UAL ESOP) as many have criticized it as a masterful power-play with a longer time line than traditional section 6.

I feel ya bro. Here's my issue - when Americans can produce goods, such as cars, that last 15+ years with minimal maintenance (and the maintenance that is done is easily done) I'll BUM. Until then, I'm sticking with my Volvo.

Keeping the dollars here is important from what I've read. I just don't see it changing until the dollar drops to such a low level that imported goods would become more expensive than those made here. The majority of Americans won't buy goods made here A) Because they are more expensive and B) Lack quality.

One thing I am worried about however is oil, and other major currencies, going away from the dollar. Although something tells me the Fed wouldn't allow that to happen...(I hope).

That's the only way it makes sense? What if it were just a statement to put things in perspective.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that you can hold both mentalities that SAAB defined. Yes, we are lucky to be able to be flying airplanes for a living. I can think of worse things to do. That said, it took much pain and sacrifice to get and continue to be here, and indeed we're all, or should be, skilled professionals who should be paid accordingly.

This thread is getting all weird and philosophical now.

The words "unified" and "equitable" shouldn't be used in the same sentence. As a union, IMO, pilots artificially inflate their value.

If you want to look at what the "true" market value of an airline pilot's wages would be, look to non-union carriers such as jetBlue, Virgin America, and skybus.

You're gonna get in trouble saying things like that.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

What ever!
 

I've been all over the world, and most places you would want to be as a child you couldn't live off per diem.

Good luck with that attitude, I for one am worth every penny and then some of what I make as far as I'm concerned.

Right, because I explicitly said we're all overpaid.

Total compensation shows that it's not artificial at all. Compare by fleet and seat, and you'll see unionized pilots make more money, have better benefits, and enjoy a better quality of life. ;)

The beauty of capitalism is that the fair market value is what you negotiate. What you want it to be, and what it is, is sometimes disappointing.

Most McD workers make more than Saabs Per Diem, does that mean they are overpaid too; because someone in the world is starving. I really don't get your argument.