Since you're not planning on being around in 3 years at NJI, what's all this to you anyway Rusty? I give you credit though, you are funny! Some of those comments almost had me falling out of my chair with laughter!
Still, I used to really, INTENSELY dislike unions. And in fact, my first 8.5 years at NJA pretty much held up exactly what I was feeling about the unions, and about what you're saying. However, sometimes things change. Our new union (okay, new local, as we're still with Teamsters) has changed my attitude entirely. They haven't treated us at all like what you've been talking about. They've created great change (all for the better) and been completely open about everything they've done (and how they've spent our money, and who they're standing up for and NOT standing up for). So far, the only folks involved with this whole thing that have been sneaky and dishonest has been the company.
We have an entire contract, IN WRITING AND LEGALLY BINDING, and the company continues to disregard it and do things their own way. Our union has INSISTED that we, the pilots, play by the rules set down in the agreement. The only difference between us and a non-union shop is that we make extra money every time the company violates the contract. So with all that being said, I definitely trust our union more than RTS right now. When he shows that he can follow the rules that HE AGREED TO, then maybe I'll be able to see things more your way.
Meanwhile, to hopefully get this thread back on track, congrats to all the good folks at FLOPS! You folks deserve better!
PS- My fiance drops me off at the airport and picks me up. No car sitting in a parking lot for a week just begging thieves to smash in the windows or pick the locks, and she likes spending a little extra time with me.
PPS- Still waiting to hear how you think the FLOPS pilots should handle this instead of getting a union, Rusty. Obviously, just talking with management hasn't yielded any positive results. What do you suggest they do?