You're suggesting that the contract is so ridiculous that an employee can call their manager and say "Whether you like it or not, I'm scheduling myself off next week for one of the busiest days of the year because I feel like it. Sure, I could schedule this any other time, but I chose this time. Too bad, so sad."

If UA has given up the ability to approve advance time off requests for elective medical procedures, then the madness of this union contract needs to be completely thrown out and we'll start again. It shouldn't be that hard. The benefits are so sweet that they get thousands and thousands of applicants everytime a carrier is hiring. They can pick and choose as the job is so popular.

You know, it was really effective in the ludicrous grocery strike here in California last year that all the stores collectively bargained one contract with the union. Wouldn't it be great if we could get the airlines together to negotiate one contract with each union for all carriers? That would finally get rid of all this nonsense, as there's be no other job for the lynchpin groups like pilots and mechanics to go to if all carriers stood firm.