[joesbucks]

WGN doesn't skywave well into my area, so I don't get to hear it often. However, the times I have, the talk shows I've heard approach radio from an entirely different perspective. It's not hot talk or even emotion driven talk. It's not dry like NPR, but it is really devoid of the gags that one normally hears on other stations.

A few years ago, I was up over the Thanksgiving holiday and they did a replay of the Scopes trial. Absolutely fascinating radio drama.

[capt. norm]

The great thing about Chicago is that they love their radio. I guess a lot of time is spent on commutes that yield a nearly "captive audience". And from a competition standpoint (41 FM signals and 31 AM's) there's no room for slackers.

The bad part of it for me is that I had to renew my AFTRA membership and unions tend to support the losers at the expense of those who work hard. You'd be surprised how fast they find out you're in the market and send you a letter stating that unless you pay up your dues, you're about to become unemployed.

There were a couple good things the union did though. We got a new PD and he loved staff meetings....called them frequently until the union reminded them that, according to the contract, staff members that were called in for the meeting (not during your shift) had to be paid for that time at a minimum of four hours at the overtime rate. That was the end of random staff meetings.

The other happened when a new PD posted a dress code (no more T-shirts). The union notified him that that would amount to a change in contract terms not agreed upon by the principals. Other than that it was like pouring union dues (and they ain't cheap) down a rat-hole.