Not I, said the Billy Goat

So, at the 11th hour, I've decided not to apply at a certain major national air carrier based in Phoenix. I went to an information session yesterday, and in an hour I learned a whole ton of stuff that I already knew from reading their website. If I want to go ahead, I'm to report tomorrow morning to submit an application. I won't be going.

It was an interesting meeting. There was a smattering of well-groomed kids in their early 20's. There were a surprising number of older women who were clearly flight attendants already. I suspect they're parachuting from United before layoffs arrive. There were a few 20-year-old girls who simply could not remember anything the presenter said.

There are two things I really dislike. The first is what they pay during training. It's simply too low. The second is that flight attendants are unionized. Well, I come from a very long line of non-union ancestors. I love Arizona for being a right-to-work state. I never want to be coerced into joining any organization, particularly as a condition for employment.

There was one very illuminating exchange during the process. One young lady asked whether expemplary performance helped one to gain seniority. The answer, of course, was a resolute no. Seniority, and rewards within the job, are dependent 100% on seniority.

I just don't think I want to sign up for a job where performance and promotion are so utterly divorced. They won't get my best work out of me, and as a result I won't love the work or the company. I'm not doing that.

Yeah, I'll look for the union label. Or, rather, I'll look out for it, to make sure I don't get painted with the thing.

Comments

[damonz]

As someone who works for "a certain major national air carrier based in Phoenix," I would ask that you try to separate the "company" from the "unions." I too am HIGHLY anti-union. I love my job, and generally within the company, promotion and performance go hand-in-hand, which is a very good thing, otherwise like you, I wouldn't stick around... ;)

[Jackalope Pursuivant]

Ahhh, see! I would have no problemo working for corporate at a desk job. It's just that as soon as you take a flight attendant job, you're working in states where, for some reason, you are required to join an organization you don't neccessarily agree with! Get me a job, D! I'll come work for them on the ground any day.