I would even go the other way and guess that a successful LoCo is in a better position to afford a strike than a traditional flag carrier. Most LoCo's make profit after profit, while the more established airlines struggle.
The fact is unfortunately that most pilots in those flag carrier actually have pride and self esteem and will therefore
fight to improve their lives. Or at least they are willing to fight to
stop the rot that is taking place in this industry.
On the other hand, most LoCo pilots are gullible sheep that are easily led to the slaughterhouse. Working harder, paying for their type rating, getting a !!!!ty pension, getting fed crappy crew meals, enduring the stressful turnarounds day after day while the companies are raking in the cash.
LoCo pilots are very good in procrastinating, "keeping their powder dry for the
next battle," or instead prefer to complain about trivial things. Very few pilots for LoCo's come from established airlines that are willing to fight for a well balanced life with regards to fatigue, work, money and health.
Instead they are the blue collar workers of aviation: give em enough dough for a flat screen TV, feed them on fish and chips and they are fat, dumb and sort of happy.
Another reason for the rot in the LoCo industry is that many pilots come from small outfits that have gone bankrupt at one time or another, something which has left most of them traumatized and afraid to fight for good terms and conditions. They are so naive that they believe that by asking for a fair remuneration, they are going to bankrupt the company.
The company knows this and is doing a very good job at dividing and conquering and hiring the right people. While in the mean time, the sweatshop managers are awarding themselves bonus after bonus, believing they are worth it and not the least bit concerned about bankrupting the company...
And BALPA? Their are just reacting (usually too late) to what they are observing. Be it the DDO's, the fatigue 'training,' the fatigue training compensation/sector pay, the reserve period, the current pay deal. Giant loopholes everywhere, just waiting for the company to exploit. A total lack of foresight...
