Why is it that it is always "you pilots"? The problems, moans and groans are not only related to aviation, but to the general industry as well. Do you really think that the municipal workers, retail employees and the like go on strike for the fun of it? NO......obviously not. So whats the problem?
Do some research into the stats and you will find things like working hours, unsafe conditions, disregard for working agreements, unsatisfactory training and general employee manipulation by management.
Take all this and overlay it on the airline industry and you will find the same complaints! However, aviation being slightly different in the fact that one can't down tools at 37000 feet and protest comes with its own unique problems. Yes, some companies ARE better than others. How does one know this? Take a look at the employment time span that the majority of crew remain with a company and that SHOULD say something!
When a company has two major incidents in the same year separated by a mere 2 months, and then land on taxiways in Lusaka with passengers on board (and I am not refering to Thomson Airlines either) as well as blow tyres on landing in Phalaborwa and try to turn on the dirt, strand the J41 across the runway and close the airfield because of work in progress, one can only ask where the control of the company is being directed from.
All of this is swept under the carpet because the authority of some upstart is "non negotiable."
Playing with the lives of crew and passengers is not negotiable!!!
So you see, we really are not much different to the rest of the industry. Just fighting to keep alive, financially and physically. Whats the crime with that?
Ja, move on then. Yeah, sure. This is not the USA where jobs fall out of trees every day. Most of us have families too, and we have a basic right to have time with them and food on the table. When conditions of employment change, their attitude is usually shape up or ship out. No, we'll join the municipal workers and the like and fight for our rights that are taken away just because some boss and the likes of JvJ see this as an exploitation.
Just before you shoot me down. Maybe you've never been in this position because your career was handed to you on a plate, or daddy's money got you places in a hurry. Good luck to you then, but not all of us were that lucky. So take a look at those who are between a rock and a hard place before you shout the odds........"you pilots"