Originally Posted by Mason32

If the choice is an in-house, or ALPA... then the correct choice is ALPA. I know of no less than 3 good size carriers where the union expenses each year well exceed the dues revenue. Mostly due to hostile management intentionally causing the unin to expend as much money as possible.

When times get tough at JB - and they will eventually hit a rough period - the company will have the money and resources to bankrupt a small in-house union. It has happened time and time again in many industries.

another issue is this... ALPA has been doing this longer than anybody else. Look at the APA, they just recently contracted with ALPA to use their negotiating teams...

ALPA isn't great, but it is the best around for us all at this point in time. The side benefits just aren't matched by any other union or association.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you joined ALPA, you are NOT joining a national union.... you are forming your own in house union - just like the complainers actually want - and it is only affiliated with the national association. ALPA is an association of dozens of smaller local unions. Each union has it's own MEC and runs iteself.

So, the reality of it is that you get the best of both worlds... you get to have, run and control your own local union; while at the same time being affiliated with a national association.

The haters don't want you to take the time and learn about unions and associations; they just want to play on your emotions one way or another.

I got NO dog in your fight... I don't work there.... and while I'm at it, I'm also not ALPA, although I was at one point a member.

National has virtually no control over your local MEC... and it's designed that way on purpose. So, do your own research, and make up your own minds.

Is ALPA perfect; nope. But it is the best thing out there right now.