Pilots are professionals. We follow a code of ethics, we are not ultimately in it for the money (as their are much easier ways to earn a buck involving much less effort and time away from home) or an itch for glory. (we are not charging off into the unknown) We study hard, constantly improve ourselves, and have a strong work ethic.
In the legal sense, we have a power akin to monarchs or dictators. When away from the gate our authority is absolute. We are not accountable (in the moment) to those under us in the chain of command or to our charges. (We are ultimately accountable for our actions, but are given great authority and broad powers while underway.) Because of this, we have the sense that because we drive the ship that we are management.
We are not. We may be Captains, but we are not the Admiralty. We do not drive the fleet or the overall mission.
Economically, we are "blue collar" labor.
Economically, we are a tire. We have a number and an expiration date.
Philosophically, all pilots need to learn and understand this. Our standards are high but our skills are not unique. We are the processor in the motherboard, but we aren't the engineers of the whole machine. We are given a mission and the tools to carry it out.
We ride a very fine line. We are very much the at top of the food chain of organized labor. But it is still labor. Unlike the other professions; physician, lawyer, engineer... we cannot break off and hang out our own shingle. The vessel we command is just too expensive to buy and maintain. The regulations to own and operate one are just too onerous. At the same time it is hard to get a union pipe-fitter or carpenter on board with understanding why our rates and work rules (bargained for collectively) should be (to their perspective... not ours) so high. Our "cost" compared to the operating cost of the vehicle we command is not the most significant, but the bean counters will squeeze every penny till Lincoln screams. And that includes eroding every dollar of pay and efficiency on the backs of labor.
I understand why as a pilot, as a Captain, you don't want to be thrown into the pile of the "unwashed masses of labor." Management has done a fantastic job over the last 30-40 years trying to convince you that you are not labor. Why? Because it costs them less to run a PR campaign than to pay you an industry standard wage and set of work rules commiserate with your education, experience, and skill set.
We sit at the top of the mountain of organized labor. We should be leading the movement (people look up to us) instead of siding with those who would cut us off at the knees. At the same time we should be collectively recapturing the rates and work rules that management so craftily stole from the pilots and put into their own pocket over the last 20 plus years.
So, I say... embrace it. You are a professional. Be a professional. You are a ship's Captain. Be a Captain. You are also labor. You are a tire. Understand how management has used the legal system over the last 40 years to minimize your bargaining power. Fight against the drive to get rid of collective bargaining. Support your franchise of your Union in whatever way you can.
You are a Blue Collar Unionized Professional. (If you want to be white collar, change your ethos so that you are motivated only by economic factors, go start a business and Gordon Gekko yourself to your hearts content. Me, I'll be over here helping my fellow pilots and staying current.)
Rant over.
