ACL65,

If there is anyone motivated to file a DFR claim over Compass, it is me. Yet, I'll be the first to tell you Compass was entirely within the "wide range of reasonableness" standard which is afforded our union. Further, ALPA did take action to avoid the flow down, so harm was avoided. Bottom line there are no "damages" and even if there were, there is no liability. ALPA has no DFR exposure on this, none.

It is stupid to defend dishonesty by stating, "honesty would convict me" when no crime was committed. It is that sort of moronic logic that gets ALPA into trouble. The only real wrongdoing was the intentional undermining of the democratic processes in our representational structure. (which reminds a reader of Bill Swelbar's post lunch comment "the unions are too democratic.") Our Reps in Council 44 (not the current Reps) stated plainly that they knew better than their membership and thus, voted against the expressed intent and resolutions passed in their Council. That's morally wrong, but not illegal.

ALPA is not being "silent." We've passed a scope resolution and our Reps are publishing assurances that scope limits will be maintained. In many ways "we" are getting what we want. I like the direction our MEC is going in, but I also know resolutions and articles are not binding, particularly if we get back into concessionary bargaining.

That is why we need ALPA to understand WHY these changes are important. Not just acquiescence under threat from the DPA, but genuine understanding that:

• The union's representational power comes from every member represented
• A union's leverage comes from representing the monopoly of pilot labor
• Outsourcing is a poison to the two above stated goals