Day in the life of a corporate/charter/fractional pilot

That pretty much describes ALL JOBS, not just aviation, with or with out a contract. XJT was a great place to work until I was furloughed. Just like an engine, it was running great right up until it quit.

And the lower tier airlines follow the contracts to the letter?

If contracts aren't adhered to, it's a question of Law. And I would suggest to you that it's something you should think about the next time you're voting. If you really want to go down the road of "oh well, contracts mean nothing, that's just how it is", you'll be a wage-slave for the rest of your life (presuming you're not one of the lucky 10% who through no virtue or work of their own, happen to rise to the top and then pull the ladder up behind them). Is that really a gamble you want to make?

Uh, wait, what? I'm not really sure why I was just given a speech, but the point I was trying to make is that having a contract doesn't mean things are going to be perfect, I've seen threads on here and other places with people bitching about the airline violating a contract and nothing being done about it. I am not in a union, nor have I ever been.

That's what I was trying to say. A contract guarantees work rules and conditions. It doesn't prevent crappy chief pilots, co-workers that you want to strangle, aircraft that have a million deferrals etc. All of those things do however effect your personal morale though. So to say having a contract means having a a job that you find satisfying on all levels is hardly the truth. Yes, having union protection is great and it keeps companies from just firing you with out reason. With some corp jobs that is a valid concern. There are plenty of corp jobs out there that are just as stable as any other job.

People tend to get hung up on job stability and security. The days of going to one job as a young lad, putting in your 30 years, and cashing out a fat company retirement are long gone, in any industry not just flying. People will have to self fund retirement and take care of themselves first. The times when companies did the right thing by their employees are gone as well. The job I have now could be a retirement job, but I can't bank on that. If for some reason it goes away tomorrow I'll be pissed, but I'll do what I need to do to make ends meet and try to find the next job. Just like I did when xjt decided myself and 300 of my co-workers were no longer needed. Jobs come and go, good ones and bad, I just choose not to dwell on it so much it effects me.

Sorry for the rambling. Hope that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense, and you got my point exactly.

No job is perfect, and there is no job security in aviation, or anywhere really. Just be sure to keep your FU money fund fully stocked, and live below your means, and you might get out of aviation alive!