Thanks for your feedback, ryan182. Let me start by saying that I never claimed to want a 7 or 8 figure salary. I believe that being treated fairly and equitably is all I'm asking.

Secondly, you very obviously have a negative view of unions. I simply ask that you try for a moment to consider the perspective from the other side. Sure, unions aren't ideal. But letting management have free rein over our work rules and quality of life isn't either. In an ideal world, we *would* be able to come to equitable terms through rational discussion and debate. But you and I both know that we don't live in that world. It's unfortunate that it does, on occasion, seem to come down to the us vs them mentality you mentioned, but in a corporate environment where you can't trust the people who are supposed to be your leaders, what do you expect?

I think that a lot of front line UA employees, myself included, *do* have a good work ethic and sense of personal responsibility. I don't think that fighting for my rights from within the union framework prevents that. But being in a union does protect me from the arbitrary whims of managers who have proved time and again that *we do not matter to them*.

I'm truly amazed that as a 1K, you seem not to respect the careers and struggles of the people who go to such lengths on a daily basis to serve you and make your travel safe and enjoyable! We're not always the bad guys, I promise!

Finally, before you accuse me again of not understanding the free market system -- you should know that on several occasions, I have taken on second jobs to supplement my income, so I understand quite well what it's like out there in the 'real world' (as you put it). Guess I *am* trying to work on those 7 figures...