Same dance different song.................Here is an oldie but a goodie from the Old regime.




Rumor vs. Reality, November 9, 2006



Fellow Pilots,

The MEC has observed that some pilots with personal agendas are fabricating outrageous lies
trying to fuel their own personal agenda. We ask pilots to consider the source when hearing such
ridiculous rumors. Here are a few points that may help to clarify some of these rumors.



Rumor: An individual Rep. has his own office next to Ben Baldanza’s office.
Reality: ALPA has secured a room on the other side of the building where Reps and Committee
Personnel can work privately when they prepare for a company meeting. One in particular, did
the hard work of painting and preparing the room on his days off for the benefit of others.

Rumor: The MEC is doing all the delivery flights thereby taking work away from the pilot group.
Reality: In response to numerous complaints about the process of delivery flights the MEC asked
that additional ground school slots be opened for the MEC. This would give them the opportunity
to audit the process as ALPA Reps. Also keep in mind that all MEC members are also members
of the pilot group and have the right to apply for the same special projects that the pilot group has
available to them. A couple of our Reps. have individually made hundreds of crossings in their
prior jobs and are more qualified than most that applied for the positions.

Rumor: The Wiz kids are inexperienced pilots from outside the company that were hired as
Captains and line check airman and be taking jobs away from us.
Reality: All these guys resigned from their Airbus simulator instructor positions at Northwest
Airlines and moved their families to South Florida for a career with Spirit Airlines. They are as
much a Spirit employee as you are and have committed their future to Spirit Airlines. They are
being hired as “NEW HIRES”, like everyone else at the very bottom of the seniority list. They are
part of the growth that we waited so long for. They are anything but inexperienced pilots, and
bring with them loads of experience from several Part 121 air carriers in worldwide operations.

Rumor: A DTW FO was not represented properly by Doc and Makima after a training failure.
Reality: This FO was informed of all his rights under the contract by Doc, Makima, Nowell and
the ALPA Attorney. He then made his own choice to resign. Doc was able to negotiate additional
OE for him against the recommendation of the Line Check Airman who insisted on terminating
the training.

Rumor: The MEC is making ‘Secret LOAs’ and is not distributing them to the pilot group
Reality: All LOAs are posted on the web site and printed versions are distributed when a bundle
is produced. This is handled by the MEC Secretary. Prior to this MEC, none of the LOAs were
posted on the web site and nobody knew about them until the printing took place.

Rumor: The MEC traded the 401K in exchange for firing instructors.
Reality: The 401K is in tact and nothing was traded for its security. ALPA has ruled that the
company has the ultimate right to decide who will be an instructor.

Rumor: Some Reps. are getting paid 85 hrs and never flying
Reality: Reps only are paid in accordance with the line that they can hold. Most work 7 days a
week for the benefit of the pilot group and has given up much of his personal life for the Union.

Rumor: The MEC has five voting members.
Reality: The only ones that vote on issues are the four elected representatives. Two Captain
Reps and two FO reps. are the only ones elected by the pilot group. The four elected reps. make
policy and the MEC Chairman executes their policy. When the MEC Chairman fails to represent
the MEC he may be replaced.

Rumor: The MEC Chairman has a responsibility to make policy decisions that he personally
believes are in the best interests of the pilot group.
Reality: The MEC Chairman has never been elected by the pilot group. Only the four elected
reps were elected and chosen by the pilot group. It is only their responsibility to make policy on
behalf of the pilot group. The MEC Chairman must take direction from the elected officials.


Rumor: The MEC never tried to help a Captain that recently failed OE and was fired.
Reality: A long history of problems led to this pilot’s termination. It has been grieved and is going
to arbitration as all terminations do. It is currently in the hands of ALPA legal. Under previous
management, shortly after the Wichita MD-80 incident, both pilots were terminated for failing to
pass OE, one was a test pilot and 5 year Captain.

Rumor: Two pilots were suspended in NY LGA after they called in fatigue.
Reality: Captain Rep. Herbert Law and FO Harry Milan were wrongfully
suspended over 1 year ago and the company was caught falsifying records in
an effort to prove their case. Those involved were disciplined and some lost
their jobs. Capt. Law received an apology, had the letter pulled from his
file and was made whole. Make no mistake, this was a criminal act and those
involved were dealt with harshly. This event triggered the arrival of Captain Jeff Carlson from
NWA.

Rumor: Capt. Rep. Law is having breakfast with Ben everyday.
Reality: The MEC has had Dinner; Lunch etc. with company management as a part of ALPA
business. Capt. Law was directed by a 4-0 vote by the MEC to meet with Ben, breakfast was a
timing issue. The agenda was internal politics.


Fraternally,

The MEC