Hey there IHL and PACO...
Thanks for the first replies. Well, IHL I couldn't agree with you more...there are just too many pilots out there willing to work twice as many days for half the flying at 1/3 the wage. It isn't uncommon to work a fire and find 206 pilots, all doing the same work, making anywhere from 60 - 120 per hr! on the same job! There is this aura of the need for "rugged individualism" in the industry...but the reality is, there are going to be tremendous pilot shortages in the next few years and I believe that we would all be potential winners with some sort of association. Someplace to air grievances, compare notes and share out professional knowledge.
PACO: Whether it is structured as a "union" or "association" or a "club", its genesis will only be about developing a comraderie. And maybe having a debate on the rotor culture in Canada and ways we can change it to our benefit. I would be quite interested any background material you might be able to provide.
Let's get the debate rolling.