let's see if I have this right; SKW fires one of there pilots who has no representation who then is a cheerleader for nonunion properties and an ALPA hater. then cites mormon dogma and urges going along with the company on whatever they want. Is that about right? may I have another?

SKYW/XJT/ASA are so large they could look at running their own local too. Has it's own benefits. Who currently is in contract neg?

I think Slaphappy is Chip Childs posting in disguise...

I can't think of a single SKW pilot I've talked to that doesn't want a union of some kind.

sad, but I think it is a necessary evil.

Can I throw a question out here....Why doesn't skywest need a union?

Just stating my opinon after what I've experienced in life so far. I don't care what you guys do, but for you to start a new union from scratch is alot tougher than sticking with ALPA. ASA and XJT know how ALPA works and your dues will go further by sticking with them. I'm not saying that an independent union is bad, just that at first your dues aren't gonna get you much when you start your own independent union.

No S right?

If the stuff I hear from Skywest folks around the airport and on van rides is true.. you guys needed to unionize like yesterday. Those squeaky clean Mormons will continue to have their way with you and you know it! Mormon businessmen don't play. They may treat labor OK but you mess with their bottom line or try bringing a union on board, their true colors will shine.

Call ALPA ALPO if you want. They've been doing this for over 70 years and have unfortunately had to figure out how to deal with a C scale that has taken over the industry. The unique growth of Regionals as a direct result of mainline relaxing scope only to the detriment of mainlines, has played it's course. ALPA has learned some lessons the hard way and is more prepared than ever to handle the unique challenges of current times.

The concept of an in-house union at a Regional airline seems pretty funny at this point.

I disagree. There's not a whole lot funny about any of this.

The single biggest issue with forming a start-up, stand alone union is start up costs, followed closely by mostly young guys with virtually no union experience.

ALPA is merely the path of least resistance to getting a union. As we all know, you don't have to ask very many current ALPA members at various carriers before you find a lot of displeasure.

Actually, it's a bit odd that there are so many contracted carriers in a union that caters to "real" airlines. Certainly, I could envision a union for contracted carriers only.

Any start-up union should concentrate on one issue only. The contract. No benefits, or other distractions. They would need external professional guidance and money to make that happen. I recommend that it get started before the next ALPA drive.

Reflect upon a workforce where more than half were fired for striking, their union decertified, and the bargaining unit was non-union for six years. Seems like a tough way to get unionized again, eh?

That's what air traffic controllers did in 1987 with their own "stand alone" union, NATCA.

The biggest hurdle with an inhouse regional is cost. 2-3% of a collective group of regional pilots compared to 2-3% of Legacy pilots is the difference. Remember, half of your seniority list still makes below $40K while Legacy F/O's are making close to double that. Uncle Jerry will outspend an inhouse union before you realize where all your money went. SKW holds on retainer, the biggest law busting law firm in the country, Harrison and Ford. I believe an inhouse would only be possible if management would welcome the union with open arms and SKW clearly indicates that would not happen here. They will fight to the bone to keep unions out of SKW. We'd be bankrupt after the first grievance. ALPA is clearly our only first choice.