GP, they say we all look at life thru the filter of our past experiences. Yours has undoubtedly led you to read more into my post than was ever intended. In no way did I mean to offend anyone with my analogy. It was based on, as I said, only "size" and I made a point of deploring the ego aspect of it all. I clearly tried to show that each frac has a role to play in the industry and they should all work together.
Perhaps the Navy was different from the AF (I've been told by Navy pilots that's the case), but there was far less "rank-wearing" than you surmise. I saw it, yes, but it was definitely the
exception. Nonetheless, had my husband and I been into politics he wouldn't have retired as a Lt Col. We left one assignment early because of the political landscape and we'd make the same decision again.
Looking at things objectively, it only makes sense that the group with the most pilots should break new ground and try to establish an industry standard that others can use to advantage. There is a reason they say there's safety in numbers, you know. The strategy works. NJ pilots have union protections that others don't so it makes sense to send them out on the front line--hence the "rock" analogy. But I pointed out that a handful of smaller groups working in concert could also effect changes. I'm sorry you didn't like the imagery. It has
nothing to do with a personality issue. I'm not interested in who "owes" who. I'm suggesting that working together is smart use of your resources to affect change within your industry. I would much rather see the pilots working together to raise industry standards for all, than the managers continuing to suppress wages because the pilots don't fight for what they've earned. Fair warning, another analogy: It's hard to achieve a standing ovation if half the audience remains sitting. But if you'll all stand together...
I'm advocating an industry viewpoint whereby pilots would view any progress made as a collective win to build upon for future gains. NJ FOs are still underpaid so NJ pilots don't have all the bragging rights you seem to think they are trying to claim.
Or that I am...misguided notion that that is...
Management certainly points to the low wages of your peers as an excuse to underpay many of you in the frac industry. I'm making the suggestion that the pilots turn that around by pointing out the higher wages (and I don't care
where you find them) as justification for demanding fair wages, benefits, schedules, etc. I think it'd be great if other frac groups could get FOs wages brought up before the NJ pilots go back to the bargaining table. I don't think those FO families would care
who they had the good fortunate of "thanking" for their raise. I know if that had happened while my husband was an underpaid NJ FO I'd have
happily posted thank you cards to every frac group involved. NJW
A RISING TIDE SHOULD LIFT ALL FRACTIONAL BOATS, SOME PADDLING REQUIRED
