Shaft Master is correct. From industry (Boeing and tourism), chambers of commerce, passenger groups, to the EU's desire for eventual complete and unfettered access to the U.S. market, ALPA and the publicly demonized BIG airlines didn't have a political chance in hell. Politicians have disregarded the calls of labor because they think little NAI doesn't pose a threat. The camel's nose never dose. It's only when the beast is fully in the tent spitting on everyone the true effect will be known and it will be too late to unwind cause. The offending politicians will be long gone by then having enjoyed the fruits of a long and financially prosperous political career. If you think I'm only referring to current politicians think again. This goes to the Bush administration who wrote this policy.

For those who have not enjoyed the benefits of an airline downturn it is quite eye opening. There are those who will diminish what we have and accomplished. They will call this a part time job, overpaid and how we have it so much better than the real world of workers. The time will come again when this select few will act as a cancer on our career more than willing to open your wallets to concessions for various misguided reasons. It might be twenty years from now, but the time will come. Remember how much you endured to get where you are. The current contract is still a bankruptcy contract from 14 years ago.

We need to have another political lobby group formed to represent our interests that is more powerful than those that are advancing their agenda's at our expense. If ALPA is not up to the task, then ALPA should say so and tell us that. It would be better to spend our money on something else in the political arena. As far as contract maintenance, negotiations, and enforcement, ALPA is doing Ok there.

I get that.

But, we need to have more time intervals in between down-turn cycles in order to that effectively. We've had a decent last 4 years. I would appreciate it if we had about 2 more good contracts before we take two to three consecutive bad contracts.

For this industry (for my family) it's looked like this: 1983 to 1996 bad. 1996-2001 improvement. 2002-2007 very bad. 2007-2009 slight improvement. 2009-2012 improvement. 2012 to 2015 good. 2015-2016 very good.

I personally won't vote for another concessionary contract ever again. I have drawn my own line in the sand.

Yes! +1000. I agree, bring on the A350s. Boeing has no allegiance to US aviation. Not saying they have to, but if all they care about is the next sale, then US operators need to have a sound game plan. Let's buy the CS instead of those 700s too.

Where will this new lobby group you speak of garner the power to benefit us?

Already convinced of the notion eh? Line in the sand or not, there is a negotiator's bullseye tattooed on your back.

ALPAs PAC is as good as we allow it to be, how much do you donate every month?

There will be a hue and cry when NAI has their first fatal accident attributed to pilot error. Then the low cost outsourced labor issue will come to the public's awareness. People will die. Will it be worth the cost? The ones buying the tickets will say, I didn't know!

Then the public will forget that low cost labor is what they are buying, the accident will be forgotten till the next time. The public will go on buying a low cost ticket that is $5 cheaper than UAL or Delta.

The world will continue going round, our pay will be cut, contracts gutted. The question will be, can I retire before it gets too bad? Will Trump do anything, doubtful.

The question will be, is the loss of life worth the cheaper fair?

Gasp....Boeing....**** products?..."but Sir the Uber Guppy is the bomb"!!! (Disclaimer..."sarcasm is laced throughout my post)