You obviously haven't been taking your daily PPRuNe,
OzDude or you'd know that the IPA has set up an offshoot which
is a union - the IPF. (see
IPA Post 1 for more information and contact numbers.
Why do I support them? Simple. They actually seem to be doing something for pilots that don't work for BA - unlike the
British Airways Line Pilots Association.
The aircraft that Air 2000 will have based in the US this winter will only be able to operate to destinations outside the USA; and all of the crew members are required to have US citizenship or green cards. Right?
The problem with the IT market is this - do you equip yourself for the peak of peak season - which only spans a period of three months - in order not to have to lease in aircraft but which will leave you with a vast amount of excess capacity in the troughs; or do you equip for the troughs which means that you'll always be fully utilised but you'll see most of your peak season profits disappear into someone else's pockets as you have to wet lease in to cover the demand. Most airlines go for the middle ground.