[Non-Sequitur]

Given that the mechanics unions seem to be doing their best to drive the airlines into bankruptcy, I have a hard time mustering too much sympathy for the poor American mechanics.

Well then imagine how low the salaries would be and how much money the airlines would save if they didn't bother with any prior training or certification at all but allowed the immigrant to learn on the job from the get-go? I mean how hard can it be, really? And wouldn't that teach the unions?

[Arguendo]

Completely non-responsive.

Prior training and certification are important elements of quality control. The unions’ primary concern isn’t quality control, it’s extracting economic rents from employers. And that’s never a good thing for airlines, passengers, or the economy.