What happened to comradery and pilot unity? We hear our elected leaders talk about this in their updates, but do they have the courage to do what is required of them in tough times like this? Words on a update are cheap unless you are willing to do something about it.

I am reminded of a time when pilots stuck together like a band of brothers. All vying for the same thing. In the past it was staying alive while flying a bombing mission over Europe. You wanted to know that the guy next to you was willing and capable of going to any length for the benefit of the group. Self-sacrifice was not uncommon, often the choices you made meant life or death. It was shameful to act selfishly and if you did you would face the consequences for it. Honor and pride were qualities that made these men who they were. They wanted to do what was best for the guy next to him and for their country.

Fortunately, we no longer have to fly aircraft that often suffer mechanical failure and we are not under threat of missile attack unless you are flying over one of the worlds war torn countries that we see regularly in our notams. In Asia we could learn a thing or two from our brother and sisters who fly for first world airlines with their unions who are willing to stand up together at any cost. We could learn from the aviators of the past in times of war, because right now we are in our own form of war. Instead we have become deeply divided and the mentality of our pilots is what can I do for ME. The fear is so apparent the company can smell it on you. They continually sit back and erode all the benefits you once had that made this airline a career. It has become a game to them and they have realized that it doesn’t matter what they do to you, you will do nothing about. Apart from kick up the occasional fuss on Yammer or trainers writing a strongly worded letter. We lack any strength or fortitude and we have become our own worst enemies.

How many double digit pay increases have we seen over the past couple years from other Airlines while we faced possible concessions. Time and time again our negotiations are unsuccessful and end in disappointment.

The biggest failure is with us the pilots and to a lesser extent the elected leaders of the AOA. Maybe we truly are over paid and the remuneration package along with all of its benefits are satisfactory. Because if it was as bad as we all talk about we sure as hell wouldn’t be sitting idly by doing nothing about it. So what’s it going to be? A death by a thousand cuts or will you stand up and resist together as one. Or are we going to sit back in the corner and let it happen as it appears the AOA is willing to do?