It's easy to say that....of course you should accept these terms blah blah blah....but when it comes down to it, could you work for 25% less? do more work? that is if you still have a job??

I personally didn't get a standard cost-of-living adjustment (2-3% annually) for 3 years thanks to the Louisiana legislature and have been livid....with new work rules imposed in hospitals, I've had more work.....I've been livid....

Think about how hard it would be to have a paycheck cut by 25%. If you make $100,000 (e.g. Pilots) then sure it sucks but you and your family still can live decently. But when your salary is much lower and you take a big cut....then you start choosing between basics of life....paying for healthcare, school, the mortgage....

Now even though the management is driving a hard line, I don't think they are malicious. They've put off labor cuts for much longer than the other airlines and don't seem to advocate dumping pensions like others either. But their reality is bleak....9/11, SARS and bad economy are long gone...but not the cost pressures....the slump isn't going to end....

Tough times, bad news all around, and I wish everyone luck...