With all respect, the long-term gradual degradation of our T&C's is an industry-wide problem, not just CX. In fact, we in CX have somewhat better conditions, than most - not perfect, but still better.
The airline management's objective is to perform better on a relative basis to its peers (i.e. the other airlines), so in an overall declining environment, they just have to do more with less. Like it or not, but this is simply their job - and they all use the same tools: fear & greed.
As a group - we need to regain some control over the "fear & greed" factor which is the root of our problems. We can't control the external circumstances directly and unfortunately, there is no quick-fix, that would improve our T&C's overnight. Any viable solution would have to be long-term in nature.
The unions should redirect some of their emotionally loaded efforts from brainlessly battling their managements to constructive action, which would bear fruit over the longer term.
For example- some involvement and control of the quality of flight training in the flight-schools, would - over the long term- have an impact over the supply of pilots into the market place.
As a market consequence, this inevitably would lift the T&C's in the longer term. Once T&C's stop declining and begin improving, it might even be possible to advocate a different seniority system (perhaps based on the issue date of the ATPL, etc.) making it possible to move laterally between Airlines, thus creating a true job market for pilots.
The airline managements then would adapt to these "external" circumstances just as they do to increasing oil prices.
Last edited by Avius; 26th Mar 2010 at 15:12.