Hey YIP,
Have ya ever noticed that pretty much ALL the companies considered to be the elite jobs (DL, UPS, FDX, NJA, SWA etc) are Union jobs... Gee wonder why that is.....
The companies typically have problems because they are mis-managed in some form or another NOT the Unions or pilot salaries...
You can blame post 9/11 on high fuel costs, and in turn the need to reduce pilot salaries, but then scratch your head and wonder how SWA prospered so well post 9/11, with not only the highest 737 salaries but pretty much the highest salaries overall besides FDX/UPS... If you haven't figured it out, one of the main reasons SWA prospered was because of sound management decisions. Particularly great fuel hedges.
NJA is a top tier company, with great work rules and a decent salary.. In this time of economic turmoil, the company is still finding a way to turn a profit... And that's with a rookie "leader" who can't sell a used car to Bill down the road.. AND A UNION...
Again, sorry you had a less than stellar experience with your Union at ZANTOP.. But then again, if paying it's employees was enough to put it out of business maybe it's management was the problem and NOT the Union. Your anti-Union rhetoric gets old when your same "proof" is either the UAW or your prior careers decisions... Look at all the top companies, look at their salaries, and look to see if a large majority of them are Unionized...
Unions in aviation are necessary. Otherwise we'd all be pulling 14 hr duty days 6 days a week with as much min rest as possible, be crossing multiple time zones with no relief, have to eat stale peanuts all day. Reserves would be abused more than they typically are, there would be no commuting clauses, terrible non-rev benefits and we'd all be paying for our own uniforms, Jepps, and be staying at the worst flea bag motels possible..
Take a look at the benefits where you are, and then take a look at the benefits of pilots at NJA, Delta, SWA etc... Who do you think has a better life at work?