autofixer,
I understand what you're saying, I also worry about the future of my profession. It irritates me no end to see all the hard work and tears that went into making airline industry a better place to be employed be undone in a few swift rounds of "negotiation". All of us "seniors" put in great effort to make flying safest way to travel.
We struggled to gain the respect and confidence of the public. This is what made the airline industry grow in the first place! We fought for better working conditions for those who would come behind us. We fought for better compensation and work rules. You know no one gave us anything without a fight.
You mechanics have had your battles with the FAA to make sure our equipment is the best to be had. Most of the public has no idea how many years of education it takes to be an airline mechanic, nor do they have to think about it, because you've done your jobs so well for so long. They have no idea what your "signature" means, in terms of responsibility.
ALPA too, has paid their dues in blood, sweat and tears. Unfortunately, I believe they are in the prime position to be manipulated. Management likes them to think pilots aren't Labor. And management also makes them feel terribly responsible for everyone else's careers. This is already in their psyches as their training teaches them to be In Command. Professional AMT's are just as "liable" with the same amount of responsibility but somehow think of themselves as "blue collar".
Some flight attendants get a little "elitest" too. We have rigorous training for life and death situations. We put on a uniform that's all spiffy and forget we work for wages, just like any other employee.
CSA's and RES are really in a bind because somehow, they get seen as "clerks" or "clerical staff" and few outside the industry have any idea what they have to do or the pressures they're under. They get little respect and I think they seriously under-value themselves. Funny, they probably have the most portable skill sets. And every reason to be well-paid.
Now, I'm not going to launch into my "Workers of the World, Unite" speech (although I have been warming up to it nicely, don't you think?) but what really plays into management's hand is that we don't support each other. Not only within our professions at different airlines, but not even in our "own family".
You read all the boards here and it's the same at every airline. Management plays the same cards; Fear, Uncertainty and Distrust. Upper management isn't the same as it was in the past. They aren't really in it for the long haul. They're in it for Mammon. Not just a living wage; Big Bucks. And a spot on Forbes list too, hoping it's not in the Top Ten Worst. Poor Michael Eisner!
But the FUD card is very scary. It's being played with a deadline. We panic like sheep. We start snarling and snapping at each other. We want somebody, anybody else to take the blame, take the fall!
What would happen if all the AMT's stood together as a profession, and just said No. I will not compromise my careers integrity? Pilots too. And flight attendants. And Customer Service.
Obliviously, you took your integrity and have made a nice business for yourself. I admire that greatly. I'm sure you miss the airline biz because you're here. It's hard to leave the friends, the comraderie. That's why I'm still here!
Of course, I need to pay my bills and am getting too old to have hope that I could find something I enjoy doing and can build a pension on. I do have self-respect and know I won't be working at McDonald's or Wal Mart. The way this country is headed, with Corporate America in charge, all wages will be Wal Mart. So it really won't matter.
You're right about the Unions. They've lost a lot of power because of the Sheep. No one goes to meetings, no one volunteers their time to the Cause. Everyone moans and groans about the dues money. Everyone yells at their leadership "Do something! I paid my dues!" But they are unwilling to take action as a group.
Some actually said to me during AFA's negotiations in 2000 "I have bills to pay!" like they thought everyone else has a trust fund. "I have a mortage!"
I believe Frank Lorenzo said it first: Flight Attendants shouldn't have a mortage. He also thought we shouldn't have careers.
On 9-11, a few people changed the world's economy. I believe this was the plan and it's still working very well. It shocks me that our government's leaders continue to let our economy head across the borders.
Sorry, I've gotten way too philosophical and rambled off. It's such a complicated situation and there's no easy, quick fix.
I do believe, though, if we stood together as workers and as Americans, we'd all be better off. That's why it's so critical that we vote in numbers as never before. We have to take back our Country, take back our jobs and give ourselves some Respect.
Apologies to all for the length of this post. Guess I had a lot to get off my chest too.
Dea
