You are certainly “right on” with your evaluation of the management-pilot/controller situation.

I was working in the top levels of both United Airlines management and ALPA through the deregulation transition years (1978 - 1985). I was on the pilot’s side, but I have to hand it to management–they figured out how to very effectively put it to the pilots.

Of course, management just did, and continues to do, what the dynamics of a deregulated industry and the new corporate culture require. No matter how onerous their actions are, they are doing what their BODs and Wall Street demand (and what they can get away with).

In my opinion, it was the ALPA leadership that lost the battle for the pilots. The pilots could have won the battle if they had simply stuck together, gone to a national seniority list and established through negotiation industry-wide standard pay scales.

My hope is that the swinging pendulum will start moving in the other direction.

Thanks for some union truths!

When I even mentioned the possibility of a deeper problem with NATCA a few months ago, a few of the folks from the union tried to hand me my head.

But you’re right there in the thick of things, I believe. Can you tell us a bit more detail about the problems you think air traffic controllers and the union are facing?