(I realize I'm most likely going to be flamed to death)

For the sake of conversation, say a pilot interviews with a union company (airline etc.), does that person have to become a member of that airlines union? Say they are not required to become a member, would there be any repercussions(sp) from the pilot group?

Just a question...

 

If you realize that you're going to be flamed to death, it's safe to say that you answered your own question.

 

Suppose you and three of your buddies decide to go out to a nice restaurant for a fine meal and good conversation. After partaking of the steak and sharing the wine, you get up and leave without paying your share of the bill.


Do you think there would be any repercussions?






.

 

Thanks I figured...

I couldn't figure out how to word that without sounding completly anti-union. (hence the flame comment)

I'm not completly anti-union, just wondered...

 

Spend some time at the airlines, any anti-union in you will quickly be chased out by the demons known as management.

 

You are probably right on about that.

I've been watching this board for about 2 years now and I only ask because the most common complaints I hear are pilot pay (or lack of), most of the time bad contracts(or none at all), and "chump" low time FO's/ PFT.

I admit I'm not qualified to trash or compliment anything in the 121/135 world. It seems to an outsider that management is/has made some mistakes and not much has been done to improve the situation.

Basically, as I'm connecting dots I begin to question the benifits of paying someone to "protect" me from my employer, when it seems like the employers just keep on lowering pay, decreasing QOL, Furloughs, etc. (Or are they doing things to help? That is a real question I do not know anything about)

It seems to me (simple minded as I am) that if my working conditions are bad enough for me to need outside help, I should quit.

I'm not saying I'm right, it's just the impression I'm comming away with. And I welcome some guidance from those more enlightened than me.

 

As bad as things are or can be, they'd be worse without a union. Research the creation of unions in the country(before the airlines) and you'll see why they are needed. A necessary evil, some like to say. It's easy to say "just quit". But as you get older and gain more life responsibility/liability(mortgage, wife, kids, etc), you essentially trap yourself at least for a short while because the bill collectors don't care that you were screwed by airline xyz. They want their payment on time. Most people can't "just quit". Companies know this and some try and use it as leverage.

 

Point taken...

 

ZBow -
ALPA put out a history (in two volumes) called "Flying the Line." It might be of interest to you. One must read it with a eye to the bias of a self published work, but it is a good read nonetheless.

 

Got it in my hand. I'll start it tonight. Thanks