> An article from the former airline pilot explaining airline unions:
Philip Greenspun is tech entrepreneur that flies as a hobby. He flew in an airline for a short while, but he is not a "former airline pilot".
Sully, on the other hand, writes in his book:
> “I also understood the history behind our profession’s dependence on a seniority system. It started in the 1930s, as a way to avoid the favoritism, cronyism, and nepotism rampant in the early days. It was about safety as much as fairness. It insulated us from office politics and threats to hinder our careers if we didn’t “play the game.” A layman might think such a seniority system would lead to mediocrity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pilots are a pretty proud bunch and they find it rewarding when they have the respect of their peers. The system works.”
The seniority system is what gives the captain the power to say no to the airline when pressured to fly in unsafe conditions without repercussions.
Philip Greenspun could just say no and go back to his life as a retired tech millionaire.