Originally Posted by
A320
The bottom line is that ALPA is representing both sides of a custody battle for flying. Raise your hands if you would use your ex wife's attorney in a custody battle for your kids.
That's what I thought. So let's say that United/Cal go on strike over limiting rjs to 50 seats. I wonder how many ALPA brothers at Express are going to walk through our picket line to haul our passengers. I also wonder if they will gladly pay strike assessments to support our efforts to get OUR flying back.
In the 80's for every $5 in ALPA dues paid at United or Delta only $1 came back to operate ALPA at those carriers. Today I'll bet is $1 out of every $100 paid goes to operate ALPA at those carriers. I think it is high time for UAL and DAL to pull the plug on ALPA and have each their own independent representation.
21 years ago during indoc at UAL, ALPA spent a few hours with the new hires telling us that "You can thank ALPA for your pay, work rules, and retirement.". I haven't heard that from ALPA in quite awhile. I wonder why.
Straw man. Most regional pilots want the mainline guys to take back the flying so they can get a job that goes somewhere. Most are sick and tired of flying for substandard wages, and getting worked to the bone as a third party operator. Most are not Joe Merchant, and his desire to stay at a regional for QOL. There are a few, but the are the significant minority. Furthermore, these pilots will honor a strike. If they are ALPA they have skin in the game. Now if you are going to willfully turn your backs to your ALPA brothers and sisters, snub your nose at them, then of course they are going to be mad at you. Unity takes all parties. Show value in being a member. Take the flying back, and help them get a job here by whatever means we agree to. Independents or ALPA groups that forget unity are the ones that are most in danger.
As for National money. Of the cash we send to National, the majority is spent on things this MEC and pilot group needs. To put it another way, we spend the money by using the services that national provides. Outsourcing this will not be cheaper in the long run.