Hyatt is suspicious of the motives behind the impressively diverse group of unions boycotting, but they certainly can't ignore them. Especially the linebackers.
American will get what it wants now -- big reductions in costs and flexibility on scheduling and routes -- in exchange for giving up a chunk of the company to a group of its most dedicated employees.
Pilots aren't necessarily going to follow through with the threat, but it speaks to the deteriorating talks and the ongoing frustration with the different contracts under which pilots from the old United and Continental still operate.
Flying is already the safest means of transportation and taking away some control from humans during more challenging portions of the route may remove the pilots from their tasks one step too far.
Numbers were more positive this year, but the survey respondents almost unanimously agreed that line staff were underpaid and that the blame for the lower wages was due to hotel owners being reluctant to raise wages.
The airline industry needs to find a way to recruit and train potential pilots according to a shared set of standards, regardless of international borders.
The contract, while better, still includes layoffs of both mechanics and clerks. The thousands who will lose jobs are likely not soothed by the news of the multi-million dollar bonuses execs will receive even if they only half-succeed transforming the carrier.