Gomexjr,
I don't want my Air Log colleagues to strike. They're organized because of this management style made them see their common cause and sacrifice independence and join together to face it. They can do as they see fit with legal sanction and recognition of their common interest.
If Air Log management sees this conflict as a matter of "face" and think they have "support" from other operators, the cause is lost and the company will fail. Air Log- the dynamic and enterprising operator- is dead if everybody isn't working together.
Pilots work absolutely on their own, and if they're not motivated to perform, they won't- and nobody on this planet can make them. We (pilots) know where the responsibility always ultimately lies, and know it's our decision alone, each and every time we launch. It's always a calculated risk that the pilot has to decide he's justified in taking- there's never a perfect day, or a flawless aircraft. That's the same no matter who's name is on the top of the check- there's squat to differentiate between the big 3 or 4 as far as the aircraft, pilot, job and customers are concerned. Who would I rather fill the seat for? The pilot jobs will be there, the aircraft requirement, too.
The effort a poorly supported pilot in an adversarial environment is willing to put forth to accomplish a customers' wishes is far less than, oh let's say- the guys in the yellow helicopters will put out. We- each and every line pilot- determines the quality of the contract and customer satisfaction. My customers regarded me as *their* pilot, in *their* aircraft, and we did *their* work. Every line guy in the Gulf "makes his bones" with the customer, and he is the operator as far as the customer is concerned. The pilot's never PHI (my former employer) or Air Log, until the end of hitch or a call for support. If I wasn't flying, it's because I couldn't do their job, and they knew as soon as I could go, we would go. New Iberia needs to consider the terms of their partnership very carefully before their cornflakes get any soggier.
I haven't faced to face with anybody on the Air Log line lately, but the rumors that I'm hearing are much more in touch with reality than the management position appears to be. They'd like to make a deal.