CFI A&P
Exploring the world one toilet at a time.
Pax don’t care. Most of them see this as rich pilots who drove their Ferraris to the airport, to walk around whining about how they aren’t paid enough and having to sit in a cockpit on their butts pushing buttons. While they themselves struggle to make ends meet living paycheck week to week.
Unfortunately, I think that is how the picketing and efforts at NetJets are being perceived. Don't get me wrong, they should get all the backing they deserve, but I just don't think Phil the Phenom pilot flying "the elites" around in a private jet while working a 7/7 is getting much support from the average consumer.
Dude. We have people at our shop that are NOT members of ALPA. They are non-members and pay 1.5% dues instead of the standard 1.85%.
Imagine. Assuming a 350k salary, the dues difference of .35% amounts to $1,225/yr or just $103 bucks per month. Who would turn their back on their own fellow members over $100 bucks per month.
Don't they get the same negotiated benefits as you: Hourly rates, PTO, etc? In their eyes, they're winning because they don't pay the same dues but are getting the same pay you are. Those are the same pilots that will bring burned out lightbulbs from home and swap them out at the hotel.