I don't think one should hang one's hat on 'seniority' per se. The main objective of the union would be to get a fair wage for a fair day's work. We already see the minimum wage for 18yr olds in this country, the union would see to it that there would be a minimum wage for helo drivers. Companies that can't hire due to these charges, would go under - good, cuts the wheat from the chaff. Eventually the market would stabilise and we as an industry would all benefit.
Until then, parts of this profession will continue to attract cowboys and freeloaders. Helicopter pilots will be treated like taxi drivers, here today gone tomorrow.
The proof of the pudding is with Bristows (recently)...look what the union did here!
I personally can't see it happening, and until then can we ever compare ourselves to doctors and lawyers????
I would
suggest that the helicopter profession isn't perceived by the public as respectable as the above
Too many 'dirty tricks' going on.
As an aside: does anyone know how many helo pilots there are in the Uk:
(a) in total (employable, not retired)
(b) ATPL
(c) CPL
(d)PPL