Originally Posted by
NuGuy
If the DPA had the power they claim, they could rick-roll any LEC they wanted.
This is a fundamental confusion. DPA is not
claiming to have
any power yet. DPA has simply put forth a mission statement, then asks for you to sign a card if you agree.
Originally Posted by
NuGuy
They'd be able to claim the MEC, make the changes they want, KEEP the CF money and then pick up the phone to LM and say "do what we want, or we're out of here", which is far, FAR better vengence than simply taking your ball and slinking home.
Theoretically, this would be possible. But it would take many years, with ALPA national screaming bloody murder. Then when you take over the MEC, guess what?: You're still stuck with ALPA national around your neck deciding on your finances and your access to expertise. And you're still stuck with negotiating your scope language with the regionals. It is for these reasons that nobody within DPA is interested in trying to use their members as a vehicle to change ALPA. ALPA cannot be changed. ALPA can ONLY be decertified.
Originally Posted by
NuGuy
What's worse, it's a distraction for competent people who could legitimately make some needed changes in the current regime. The whole DPA has "spoiled the barrel" from problems that need fixing.
That's just plain wrong. Many competent people have tried their heart out attempting to reform ALPA. But ALPA still does things like trying to bust unions and refusing representation to their own members in the hopes of gaining a much larger group of new members. It doesn't take long for our many competent members to realize that ALPA will not change. In fact, ALPA is getting worse. I believe it was the main reason they lost the vote with JetBlue.
ALPA has lost its way. ALPA has lost any moral high ground it used to occupy. For an old fart like me with 32 years in ALPA, it's a heartbreak to see. But I've learned to see reality for what it is, not what I wish reality was.
Carl