In a previous life, I worked for an FAR Part 121 cargo carrier. Initially, they were represented by the Airline Division of the Teamsters (IBT) and frankly, I thought it was a waste of dues money. In my view, the IBT Airline Division did absolutely NOTHING for the membership; didn't seem to care about pilot issues and their only focus was the collection of monthly dues.

As for ALPA, I believe they accomplished a lot for the pilot profession initially; however, they never kept their eye on the ball and in the past years became a political organization with an emphasis on advancing the agenda of the union leadership group in Washington. l think the pilot group at my former employer would be better served by taking their union in house and let ALPO die a natural death.

Seriously, interview everywhere you can. You're liable to blow the first one, it would be a shame if that was the job you really wanted. Go to as many as possible take the one that offers at a place you want to work.

Trans States Good! Go Jet Bad!

Duck, First thing I would do if I was you is to temper your language until you have a little experience under your belt besides being a CFI. When you make a comment like you hate all non union pilots that encompasses a pretty large group. Just my personal advice.....

I fly for SKW and my uncle is a CA for SWA. I have friends that fly for UPS, ATA, AA, JB and many other regionals. I have jump seated most all and I have always been treated great. Yes we are non-union, for now. I think that in the next year we will be union. SWA which is one of the most unionized airlines in the industry has hired LOTS of SKW pilots and continues to hire us at an alarming rate. You see it's not about being union or not being union, it's about not being SCABS. Non-Union pilots are not scabs unless they work for an airline that has pilots striking or if the airline is trying to screw it labor group, ex. Freedom vs. Mesa & GoJets vs. TSA. We are SKW are respected around the industry and we enjoy working for our company. As far as an airline goes SKW is one of the BEST.

Good Luck.

RICKAIR7777, EASY but right on. I'm anti-union but from being a 2nd generation airline pilot and with many friends and family who are airline pilots, I feel that in the aviation industry unions are a necessary EVIL.

Hope to see you out on line.