Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
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.
I still haven't seen that mission statement or a cogent strategy to achieve any goals.
Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
Theoretically, this would be possible. But it would take many years, with ALPA national screaming bloody murder.
Not factual. It could be done in a matter of 4 months max if there was sufficient support from the "DPA party", and there is NOTHING that National can do about it. The ALPA National C&BL is where to reference the rules and timelines to use the rules to your advantage.
Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
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.
Not factual. The funding we get is calculated the same way other "Group A" carriers are funded. Additionally DALPA is a Group A carrier and can influence a LOT of what goes on at National. If ALPA National undertook any action that "penalized" DAL, it would result in a DFR lawsuit.
Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
And you're still stuck with negotiating your scope language with the regionals.
Again, NOT factual. RJ scope can only protect them at
their own certificate/operator,
they do not and will not have a seat at the table when the
mainline NC discusses scope with
mainline management.
Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
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 de-certified.
ALPA CAN change. It has changed for the worse in your (and other's) opinion(s), but who are you to say it cannot be turned around? Many things DPA supporters want on the
constructive side is being done already at other carriers. (and yet much of what they want to accomplish has NOT occurred at those airlines who have gone independent.)
Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
ALPA has lost its way.
I agree with you. Honestly I do.
ALPA
has lost its way in some areas. And losing the last attempts at Skywest and JetBlue are evidence of that. But I believe that pilots in general have lost their way also, and the people who decide to take up union work come from the pilot group at large. It takes more time to "unscrew" the situation than it took to "screw" up the situation, so I have not given up yet.
One of the biggest parts of that failure is in communication. ALPA spews lots of information, but it's not true
communication unless the the person receiving the information comprehends what the sender is trying to say, and there lots and lots of people who either don't comprehend, don't know, don't care, or choose to ignore what has happened and what the union can control and what is beyond their purview to affect. Problem is, that isn't being clarified, and the attempts to do so (while as genuine as they might be) are falling short of making the connection to a 1/4 of the "average line guys".
I have not been given any
evidence that DPA will be better for my paycheck and working conditions than ALPA. Regardless, I will support the bargaining agent in place at my airline, no matter the what the name over the door reads.