Thiers was the best offer? Let's see here. An offer by a company that anyone familiar with the airline industry was headed to BK even before the strike. An offer by a company that obviously views it's employees as liablities and not assets.
I can sort of understand job location preference. However if the choice was between location and job stability/pay I'll pick the latter myself. As for unions one of the companies I mentioned has no union for it's mechanics. One thing all three have in common is that they make money and for the most part treat thier people halfway decent. Oh and I forgot one very important thing, they pay better. Found your comment about prefering overhaul to line somewhat odd. For the most part has'nt NWA shed most of their overhaul? By the way SWA does some heavy maintenance, since that's your thing.
You ask some very good questions, and I will try to answer them shortly. Before I do, I would like to re-iterate what led me to STAY. I was compared to rapists. I was compared to child molesters. I was threatened, cussed at, flipped off, and generally treated poorly. Maybe it was just the Jarhead in me, but I do love a good fight. It became personel.
As far as contracts goes, NWA's was indeed the best in CONUS. Remember, contractors, are by there very nature, temp workers. My paycheck was guarenteed by AVTECH, vice NWA, So the, at that time, possibility of BK was of no concern of mine.
I was unaware of any of the mgt vice labor issues of NWA until after I got here, other than the possibility of a strike. (I still say the bathroom door thing was INSANE!)
To be honest, NWA has honored EVERY part of my contract, including several extras that they were under no obligation to provide. Until they violate those terms, Ishall continue to uphold my end of the bargain.
I did a stint with a feeder for the brownshirted nazi's a few years back. Cargo is DEFINATELY the way to profitability these days. I also have heard nothing but good about SWA. Whatever they are doing seems to be working. I was, however, under the impression that SWA did very little heavy maint. If they are doing heavy checks, and if the location was right, I MIGHT be persuaded to work there.
I guess I should have been morespecific in that I prefer 145 operations as opposed to 121's. Many years ago I left a 121 regional because I refused to do substandard maintenence. I suppose on that occasion a union to back me would be a good thing. On the other hand, I dont think I could honorably have someone else fight my battles to get me back into ANY company that does substandard work.
I admit that my current employment does seem a bit contradictory. I prefer 145 to 121, prefer right to work vice closed shop, and definately prefer helo's to suck and blow troop haulers.
So why do I stay? Simply to try and prove all who said such vile things about us, who claimed we were nothing but a bunch of crack head cessna mechs,who swore you could not be replaced, WRONG!