At the risk of starting off the usual Diatribe I always enjoy reading comments that don't reflect on recent history (being the last generation time wise) . I wouldn't say Pilot Unions are weak I think they have usually shown a certain pragmatism until that year at the end of the 80's came and went. For those in the hierarchy of the Pilots Unions in Australia I have dealt with they are aware of the unspoken situation in that when required, Labour is mobile. Can the Unions control supply is what this whole argument is about. As the general public now consider travel as a basic necessity of life I would say that Politicians will gravitate to that angle rather than the opposite. Whether they are a member of the QF club or not is not what pushes their buttons. IT is votes. Certainly is interesting reading the comments though. Oh and for the subsequent posts I don't work for QF although obviously I may have worked for one of the domestic airlines a long time ago.