Pilots who went on strike let go by PHI
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One thought on the way the strike will raise pay is that the pay in the US probably will never equal that in socialist countries where Unions have much more political pull. There is a natural partnership between unions and socialists, especially in countries where the oil and gas are owned by the state. The state-owned oil companies let out contracts not with free-market principles but by political power, so that their pay for the workers is not directly tied to profits. In other words, pay in a socialist society has little to do with a company's viability, instead local political pull has everything to do with pay.
There is no way that a helo pilot is worth 200,000 per year in a free market, face it, but if the unions can tie up the jobs, anything is possible.
Read chc&proud's posts as you would a communist organizer's, because that is about half true, guys, since socialist countries like Norway are more than half way to where a full communist country is, at least economically. Where they shine is that they retain human rights, of course, so the blend is not all bad, but taking economic lessons from Norway is not necessarily valid.
Still, PHI pilots need more pay, and the strike is a good one for us as a whole, just don't expect that the political power the strike gives pilots will lead to such high salaries. Especially if we keep electing Republicans in the US!
There is no way that a helo pilot is worth 200,000 per year in a free market, face it, but if the unions can tie up the jobs, anything is possible.
Read chc&proud's posts as you would a communist organizer's, because that is about half true, guys, since socialist countries like Norway are more than half way to where a full communist country is, at least economically. Where they shine is that they retain human rights, of course, so the blend is not all bad, but taking economic lessons from Norway is not necessarily valid.
Still, PHI pilots need more pay, and the strike is a good one for us as a whole, just don't expect that the political power the strike gives pilots will lead to such high salaries. Especially if we keep electing Republicans in the US!
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Not to pick on rjsquirrel, but he says:
And with an attitude like that, we never will, either 
I'll always be puzzled at the low self-esteem and self-worth exhibited by many helicopter pilots. It's just sad that so many of us sell ourselves so short. When we were in the OPEIU organizing drive at PHI, there were those self-anointed financial "experts" who claimed, "We'll NEVER make $100,000 per year." That is correct. If you believe that you are not worth $100,000 per year you will never make anything close to that amount. And if there are enough "you's" out there, neither will the rest of us.
But I always asked, "Why not?"
Me? I believe that I'm worth $1,000,000 per year. Can I get that flying helicopters? Don't know. But I can try. And if standing together with my fellow pilots is one way to do it, then it's worth a shot. I do not see anything unethical, immoral or inherently wrong about doing so either. Unions are legal in this country, and the former Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (John Paul II) even endorsed professional unions - so I'm square with God on the concept too. My conscience is clear.
See, I do not know how much the oil companies will pay per hour for a helicopter in the GOM. But I think it's wrong to make any assumptions about it. The only thing we can assume is that the oil companies in the GOM are not about to go back to using boats. It's simply not going to happen for many reasons, all of them associated with money.
If PHI raised their pilot starting salaries to $75,000 per year right now, all of the other operators would have to do likewise. Neill and Jerry would likely have heart attacks anticipating how they were going to break the rate-increase news to their customers.
(By the way, someone in an earlier post inquired about the billions of dollars that the oil companies make in annual profit. Think again. Look at Shell Oil and see the billions they make in QUARTERLY profit.)
There is no way that a helo pilot is worth 200,000 per year in a free market
I'll always be puzzled at the low self-esteem and self-worth exhibited by many helicopter pilots. It's just sad that so many of us sell ourselves so short. When we were in the OPEIU organizing drive at PHI, there were those self-anointed financial "experts" who claimed, "We'll NEVER make $100,000 per year." That is correct. If you believe that you are not worth $100,000 per year you will never make anything close to that amount. And if there are enough "you's" out there, neither will the rest of us.
But I always asked, "Why not?"
Me? I believe that I'm worth $1,000,000 per year. Can I get that flying helicopters? Don't know. But I can try. And if standing together with my fellow pilots is one way to do it, then it's worth a shot. I do not see anything unethical, immoral or inherently wrong about doing so either. Unions are legal in this country, and the former Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (John Paul II) even endorsed professional unions - so I'm square with God on the concept too. My conscience is clear.
See, I do not know how much the oil companies will pay per hour for a helicopter in the GOM. But I think it's wrong to make any assumptions about it. The only thing we can assume is that the oil companies in the GOM are not about to go back to using boats. It's simply not going to happen for many reasons, all of them associated with money.
If PHI raised their pilot starting salaries to $75,000 per year right now, all of the other operators would have to do likewise. Neill and Jerry would likely have heart attacks anticipating how they were going to break the rate-increase news to their customers.
(By the way, someone in an earlier post inquired about the billions of dollars that the oil companies make in annual profit. Think again. Look at Shell Oil and see the billions they make in QUARTERLY profit.)
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The oil companies are making more profit than they can deal with. They're trying to hide it, because the net profit, after the little taxes they pay, and after everything, is greater than the gross national product of most countries in the world. They are netting billions of dollars per quarter, individually, and many tens of billions in the aggregate. At least one of the majors in the GOM does not even break out helicopter costs separately, because it's such a small part of their expenses. They will pay much, much more, and not even flinch at it. It's just a business expense, and makes them look better to the consumer when they show it. The helicopter operators could put starting pay at $500,000, and still put rates at a level to make a huge profit.
Last edited by GLSNightPilot; 30th Sep 2006 at 13:56. Reason: my own
Ah, but we are not talking about 200,000 USD salaries here.....more like 5,000,000 USD in retroactive pay back to the renewal date on the CBA. That is a far cry from the pie in the sky numbers. A small amount of money in reality and a huge amount of EGO for one individual.
I agree pilots are their own worse enemy when it comes to pay and benefits....but here is a group of pilots that are willing to stand up. It is a crying shame the other half of the group did not have the brains to see how they benefit from those that stand up.
Air Log's pilots demonstrated what happens when you have a solidarity number in the high 90's come time to walk.
The PHI showdown amounts to a gamble by both sides in light of the divided union membership. Right now, the gamble is going to be won by how long the working pilots can go without time off. Can PHI recruit, hire, train, and deploy enough qualified pilots before the current working pilots burn out.
Safety problems are going to crop up before long....hopefully the FAA is monitoring this very closely.
I do wonder if the Oil Companies will now decide the minimum hour and experience requirements they demand for pilots will remain in place.
Since the oil companies view safety (or the lack of...) as being a risk versus cost concept.....I will wager they start cutting those minimums to assist PHI keep the aircraft going.
Historical high profits and the oil companies will still refuse to spend the extra money by demanding PHI settle.....is my forecast. They do not want to see any Unions show up at their workplace either.
I agree pilots are their own worse enemy when it comes to pay and benefits....but here is a group of pilots that are willing to stand up. It is a crying shame the other half of the group did not have the brains to see how they benefit from those that stand up.
Air Log's pilots demonstrated what happens when you have a solidarity number in the high 90's come time to walk.
The PHI showdown amounts to a gamble by both sides in light of the divided union membership. Right now, the gamble is going to be won by how long the working pilots can go without time off. Can PHI recruit, hire, train, and deploy enough qualified pilots before the current working pilots burn out.
Safety problems are going to crop up before long....hopefully the FAA is monitoring this very closely.
I do wonder if the Oil Companies will now decide the minimum hour and experience requirements they demand for pilots will remain in place.
Since the oil companies view safety (or the lack of...) as being a risk versus cost concept.....I will wager they start cutting those minimums to assist PHI keep the aircraft going.
Historical high profits and the oil companies will still refuse to spend the extra money by demanding PHI settle.....is my forecast. They do not want to see any Unions show up at their workplace either.
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SASless, they already have. The majors apparently no longer have any experience requirements for pilots. The one who melted an S76 engine on a drillship had about 10 hours total in the aircraft. It's amazing how quickly safety becomes a non-issue. They talk a good game, but they really don't give a rat's a$$ about it when push comes to shove. If their employees are injured or killed, it's only a small financial loss, covered by insurance. Safety is only something to be used as eyewash, public relations material, and to justify the jobs of those in charge of HS&E.
Funny how that works.....
Now as to the FAA Approved Training Manual....has that been edited of late and signed off by the PIO for PHI?
Normally, each little requirement no matter how small had to be completed and documented.....has the FAA jumped onto the band wagon and allowed PHI to excise the majority of those requirements?
Such things as "Dunker Training" for example....
Look at the bright side GLS....at least they have plenty of spare aircraft to fill in for the U/S machines.
Now as to the FAA Approved Training Manual....has that been edited of late and signed off by the PIO for PHI?
Normally, each little requirement no matter how small had to be completed and documented.....has the FAA jumped onto the band wagon and allowed PHI to excise the majority of those requirements?
Such things as "Dunker Training" for example....
Look at the bright side GLS....at least they have plenty of spare aircraft to fill in for the U/S machines.
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Well rjsquirrel, ..
".. since socialist countries like Norway are more than half way to where a full communist country is, at least economically. Where they shine is that they retain human rights, of course, so the blend is not all bad, but taking economic lessons from Norway is not necessarily valid .."
.. we can't all have a leader that is a Texas born cowboy with smoking guns and an IQ below normal human average, now can we
..
And we are not all socialist, in your eyes I suppose nearly communist, in Europe - far far from it ..
And I have my doubt that you have enough knowledge to know how things works in Europe, like saleries, licitations etc. - you are very, ehmm, "colorful" ..
But I agree that you can't compare European saleries with American, the countries systems, healthcare, education etc. is just too different to be able to do so - For example, the European helicopter education is much more expensive than the American, so in the end we will have to pay more back on our loans, ie. higher paycheck. That is after we paid 35-60% in taxes (depending on each European state) ..
Back to the case, I hope PHi's pilots gets what they deserve ..
- madman
NB: I'm not from Norway, but close by ..
.. we can't all have a leader that is a Texas born cowboy with smoking guns and an IQ below normal human average, now can we
..And we are not all socialist, in your eyes I suppose nearly communist, in Europe - far far from it ..
And I have my doubt that you have enough knowledge to know how things works in Europe, like saleries, licitations etc. - you are very, ehmm, "colorful" ..
But I agree that you can't compare European saleries with American, the countries systems, healthcare, education etc. is just too different to be able to do so - For example, the European helicopter education is much more expensive than the American, so in the end we will have to pay more back on our loans, ie. higher paycheck. That is after we paid 35-60% in taxes (depending on each European state) ..
Back to the case, I hope PHi's pilots gets what they deserve ..
- madman
NB: I'm not from Norway, but close by ..
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rjsquirrel;
I personally know more than one pilot in the northsea, that makes more than $250000USD a year, all included. And they are most certainly worth every penny, in my opinion.
When the PHI pilots have won their battle, every pilot in the GOM is a winner, of course also those individuals outside the union. Just hope that the scab don't feel too bad taking that extra money they obviously never wanted in the first place...
I personally know more than one pilot in the northsea, that makes more than $250000USD a year, all included. And they are most certainly worth every penny, in my opinion.
When the PHI pilots have won their battle, every pilot in the GOM is a winner, of course also those individuals outside the union. Just hope that the scab don't feel too bad taking that extra money they obviously never wanted in the first place...
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One thought on the way the strike will raise pay is that the pay in the US probably will never equal that in socialist countries where Unions have much more political pull. There is a natural partnership between unions and socialists, especially in countries where the oil and gas are owned by the state. The state-owned oil companies let out contracts not with free-market principles but by political power, so that their pay for the workers is not directly tied to profits. In other words, pay in a socialist society has little to do with a company's viability, instead local political pull has everything to do with pay.
There is no way that a helo pilot is worth 200,000 per year in a free market, face it, but if the unions can tie up the jobs, anything is possible.
Read chc&proud's posts as you would a communist organizer's, because that is about half true, guys, since socialist countries like Norway are more than half way to where a full communist country is, at least economically. Where they shine is that they retain human rights, of course, so the blend is not all bad, but taking economic lessons from Norway is not necessarily valid.
Still, PHI pilots need more pay, and the strike is a good one for us as a whole, just don't expect that the political power the strike gives pilots will lead to such high salaries. Especially if we keep electing Republicans in the US!
There is no way that a helo pilot is worth 200,000 per year in a free market, face it, but if the unions can tie up the jobs, anything is possible.
Read chc&proud's posts as you would a communist organizer's, because that is about half true, guys, since socialist countries like Norway are more than half way to where a full communist country is, at least economically. Where they shine is that they retain human rights, of course, so the blend is not all bad, but taking economic lessons from Norway is not necessarily valid.
Still, PHI pilots need more pay, and the strike is a good one for us as a whole, just don't expect that the political power the strike gives pilots will lead to such high salaries. Especially if we keep electing Republicans in the US!
The assumptions you make about 'socialist' countries are absolutely ridiculous. There are no socialist countries in Europe, only democtratic one's. There are also almost no real communist countries in the World anymore.
Unions in the US have always been very powerfull and the US is much more Union run than any country in Europe.
However I don't think we have to go into debate about US or Europe, the issue here is a strike by PHI pilots who are unionized. As I said before it's the pilots we should support.
A last word about a 'free' market. In a free market man can ask what he wants. Personally I don't see why a lawyer has to make a $1,000 per hour, or Michael Eichner (former Disney) $126 million a year, but that's your free market.
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HillerBee,
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
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HillerBee,
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
HillerBee,
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
Before you roll on the floor, it might be a good idea to actually know what you are talking about. You say "democracy" as a rebuttal to "socialist" as if they were opposing terms, which is as close as if you said "apple" and "outboard motor".
By socialist, I mean that the State owns or operates significant companies and economic entiries, such as the state-owned oil companies, medical systems, transport systems, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, utilities, in fact - practically EVERYTHING in your "democracies."
When the State owns this stuff, it decides what to do, what to sell for and how much to pay based on politics, not economics.
I stand by what I said, do not expect an essentially free-market US to respond the way a socialist country does to political power plays, like strikes.
Matter of fact RJ, the USA are not a democracy in the sense most people mean it, so where are you going to find one?
I think you've done enough to hijack this thread into a US vs them confrontation taking it away from its original meaning.
It's clear that there are several sides to the event that's taking place in the Gulf, and it's apparent what side you are on.
A new hire being brought to the market with far less than the average required experience naturally tends to gravitate towards is/her employers, specially if he/she knows nothing about the struggles that brought the union about in the first place. If 108 fails at any point they shall have to see where their communication policy failed, and not just in the time immediately preceding the work action.
Break.
Madman, what we say in the US is that the Cowboy in question has an IQ smaller than his shoe size (American).
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".. we can't all have a leader that is a Texas born cowboy with smoking guns and an IQ below normal human average, now can we .."
Madman
Good point there, but if you did maybe, it would help. We may get hit from the outside, but you folks are getting hit from within....
"Madman, what we say in the US is that the Cowboy in question has an IQ smaller than his shoe size (American)."
Tottigol,
Statements like that is what the term Quisling came from. You can always renounce your US Citizenship, if you have one.
Are we back to the problem in the topic yet??
Madman
Good point there, but if you did maybe, it would help. We may get hit from the outside, but you folks are getting hit from within....
"Madman, what we say in the US is that the Cowboy in question has an IQ smaller than his shoe size (American)."
Tottigol,
Statements like that is what the term Quisling came from. You can always renounce your US Citizenship, if you have one.
Are we back to the problem in the topic yet??
No, freedom of speech last time I checked.
Besides I was just putting down the exact version of the sentence.
Feel free to cross the lines B.
This thread is threading dangerous grounds, no pun intended.
Subjects like the one of a strike can easily escalate to personal confrontation and some can use them as a trampoline to promote their personal agendas.
The outcome of this work action can and will affect every single helicopter pilot working in the USA, as such I feel enticed to openly side with my colleagues walking in the Gulf.
Besides I was just putting down the exact version of the sentence.
Feel free to cross the lines B.
This thread is threading dangerous grounds, no pun intended.
Subjects like the one of a strike can easily escalate to personal confrontation and some can use them as a trampoline to promote their personal agendas.
The outcome of this work action can and will affect every single helicopter pilot working in the USA, as such I feel enticed to openly side with my colleagues walking in the Gulf.
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".. Madman
Good point there, but if you did maybe, it would help. We may get hit from the outside, but you folks are getting hit from within.... .."
You lost me - thought this Thread was about PHi and their strike - what is getting hit from the out and inside and by what ??
- madman
Good point there, but if you did maybe, it would help. We may get hit from the outside, but you folks are getting hit from within.... .."
You lost me - thought this Thread was about PHi and their strike - what is getting hit from the out and inside and by what ??
- madman
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Madman,
It was in reference to your comment above. The point of which seems to have been lost on you. If in fact your from over the pond......forget it.
Anyway this sounds as if the stirke may get nasty as most big ones do in the states. Dont be surprised if some serious stuff happens if some of these guys have a family in need of food. Based on what was earlier mentioned that could be sooner than later.
Not being involved in it and NOT crossing any lines, but as an observer who would like to see some pay increases. I would hope that a company supposedly losing their Knickers daily from loss of revenue, would try and do something, like have a 24 hour/day sit down even if its to drink bottled water across the table from the other side. AT LEAST talk.
"The outcome of this work action can and will affect every single helicopter pilot working in the USA, as such I feel enticed to openly side with my colleagues walking in the Gulf."
Tot
That I doubt. You can bet that only those that will gain anything will be PHI and maybe those from other companies in the same area, doing the same tasks.
I can bet you a dinner in Vegas that the Tour Toads out west, Alaska, Hawaii and wherever will still be working as low time Robbie drivers. Tour Companies attitude has and always will be as I mentioned before. A turbine transition is paid for in six months or less of employment, after that if you stay its gravy to them and your pretty close to top pay. 500/1000 hour replacements are beating down the door.
Utility, EMS, Corp. folks also have there limits. Look at a lot of resumes of Helicopter types, its not unusual nor unacceptable to have a dozen prior companies listed. Great example that the grass is not always greener.
It was in reference to your comment above. The point of which seems to have been lost on you. If in fact your from over the pond......forget it.
Anyway this sounds as if the stirke may get nasty as most big ones do in the states. Dont be surprised if some serious stuff happens if some of these guys have a family in need of food. Based on what was earlier mentioned that could be sooner than later.
Not being involved in it and NOT crossing any lines, but as an observer who would like to see some pay increases. I would hope that a company supposedly losing their Knickers daily from loss of revenue, would try and do something, like have a 24 hour/day sit down even if its to drink bottled water across the table from the other side. AT LEAST talk.
"The outcome of this work action can and will affect every single helicopter pilot working in the USA, as such I feel enticed to openly side with my colleagues walking in the Gulf."
Tot
That I doubt. You can bet that only those that will gain anything will be PHI and maybe those from other companies in the same area, doing the same tasks.
I can bet you a dinner in Vegas that the Tour Toads out west, Alaska, Hawaii and wherever will still be working as low time Robbie drivers. Tour Companies attitude has and always will be as I mentioned before. A turbine transition is paid for in six months or less of employment, after that if you stay its gravy to them and your pretty close to top pay. 500/1000 hour replacements are beating down the door.
Utility, EMS, Corp. folks also have there limits. Look at a lot of resumes of Helicopter types, its not unusual nor unacceptable to have a dozen prior companies listed. Great example that the grass is not always greener.
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FWIW, scabs at PHI are now earning approximately $214,000/year, at least at the present rate, which certainly won't last a year.
B, I think you're wrong. Everyone, everywhere, is competing for labor, one way or another. If the pay for offshore pilots gets high enough, it will suck off pilots from elsewhere, and those employers will then be forced to pay more to keep experienced pilots.
B, I think you're wrong. Everyone, everywhere, is competing for labor, one way or another. If the pay for offshore pilots gets high enough, it will suck off pilots from elsewhere, and those employers will then be forced to pay more to keep experienced pilots.
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Rotors, not boats
Earlier in this thread someone noted the giant quarterly profits that the oil companies were making and predicted that those companies would be reluctant to go back to boating their employees to and fro. He was absolutely correct.
First of all, nearly to a man, the workers I carry, hate those boat rides which can last up to 10 hours depending on distance, type boat and sea state.
More importantly, I've been told by at least three different managers with purchasing authority that flying helicopters is now cheaper than boating! Ever since Katrina and Rita and the explosion of repair and new exploration, the availability of supply and crew boats is way behind demand. The Boat companies have been quick to jack up prices. If the helicopter providers would charge enough to reverse that situation, or at least make helicopters equally as expensive as boats, helicopter pilots across the US could be smiling all the way to the bank and the major oil companies wouldn't blink an eye at the cost.
First of all, nearly to a man, the workers I carry, hate those boat rides which can last up to 10 hours depending on distance, type boat and sea state.
More importantly, I've been told by at least three different managers with purchasing authority that flying helicopters is now cheaper than boating! Ever since Katrina and Rita and the explosion of repair and new exploration, the availability of supply and crew boats is way behind demand. The Boat companies have been quick to jack up prices. If the helicopter providers would charge enough to reverse that situation, or at least make helicopters equally as expensive as boats, helicopter pilots across the US could be smiling all the way to the bank and the major oil companies wouldn't blink an eye at the cost.
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GLS, I would like to agree with you, but I have seen job actions in the past and it didnt affect my pay in the least. Consider Im sort of retired and dont have to work, so Im OK. Lots of others I work with are paycheck to paycheck.
I also have the feeling that a lot of Pilots are looking at this with blinders on and see only $$$ to be made even if its only for a few months. At $700-1000/day two or three months of crossing lines is awful tempting, throw in a turbine transition for some of these kids and Your gonna have a hard time convincing them that Union life is OK.
I never realized just how big some of these companies were until I saw the pictures and the numbers of "Pilots" on strike. Sounds like Ft Rucker in the late 60s.
I also cannot fathom why, if the Oil Industry is banking bucks by the boatload, they dont put some Pressure on PHI to get this Sh1t solved.
Believe it or not I got my first inkling of a pilot shortage here in Vegas today, when I heard one of the companies was looking for ANYONE as those working were being overworked. Maybe due to a few who hear the ca-ching, ca-ching $$$ in the Gulf.
I also have the feeling that a lot of Pilots are looking at this with blinders on and see only $$$ to be made even if its only for a few months. At $700-1000/day two or three months of crossing lines is awful tempting, throw in a turbine transition for some of these kids and Your gonna have a hard time convincing them that Union life is OK.
I never realized just how big some of these companies were until I saw the pictures and the numbers of "Pilots" on strike. Sounds like Ft Rucker in the late 60s.
I also cannot fathom why, if the Oil Industry is banking bucks by the boatload, they dont put some Pressure on PHI to get this Sh1t solved.
Believe it or not I got my first inkling of a pilot shortage here in Vegas today, when I heard one of the companies was looking for ANYONE as those working were being overworked. Maybe due to a few who hear the ca-ching, ca-ching $$$ in the Gulf.
For the one side in this fight it is not at all about money....but pure old power and ego. He turned a failing company around and now the challenge is to de-certify the Union.
The only thing bad about "youth" is it is wasted upon the "young"! In a few years, these young pilots who can only see the short term issues will rue the day they crossed that line if in fact the union fails. It will be right back to the "old way".
The only thing bad about "youth" is it is wasted upon the "young"! In a few years, these young pilots who can only see the short term issues will rue the day they crossed that line if in fact the union fails. It will be right back to the "old way".