Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
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.
But it is stupid to defend dishonesty by stating, "honesty would convict me." It is that sort of moronic logic that gets ALPA into trouble.
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, what we need is for 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
I agree with everything you state, and you know I do, but I think the pilots want to take it one step further. They want the MEC/Admin to go on record stating that Scope and everything contained in section 1 is not for sale. It is a duh sort of thing for those involved, but the like pilots, the power of which you speak of; the line pilot needs to see and believe it. To do that, the MEC needs to go on record.
I bet they do before the year is out, but to date, it is the biggest issue pilots I fly with bring up; wrt scope. They want their union to take a public position on scope, pay and the value of a pilot.
With regard to the first part, you are correct that the decision is within the bounds of reasonableness, but also understand that it is you talking/ thinking and not the average pilot who is unaware of the limits in which ALPA operates. Even a frivolous DFR claim would be damaging.