Originally Posted by
Bill Lumberg
The DPA does not have a conflict of interest, and we all know and can't deny that ALPA has a HUGE conflict of interest between the legacies and regionals. You just can't represent both at the same time. And at the same time, ALPA and management have seemed to become "cozy", which can also seem suspicious. Attending birthday parties is probably not the smart thing to do. I think a vote for the DPA may at least be the wake up call ALPA needs, because they sure don't want to lose over $35 million a year in dues.
If National negotiated not just signed your contract, you may have a point. With regards to what National does for major v regional pilots, lets look at issues they have a real stake in. Legislative, Regulatory, Safety Related, etc. All of those issues are issues every pilot group agrees on.
Frankly, all of the ALPA services are bought by our dues dollars, and at a cheaper price than we would do as a stand a lone association. When they are working for us, they work for our goals, not some other groups. Lets do away with that notion. This of course does not imply that certain individuals that have been at national have not had incorrect or failed policies. That comes down to a people/ individual leader issue, not an organization issue.
I much prefer to fight collectively on issues than as individual pilot groups. You see that the proposed limit for a new 121 pilot will be almost 500% higher than it is today. That is a major win. It may not be 1500 hrs, but it is to the point that someone needs a flying job before flying 121 passengers. Furthermore, it is also attainable enough that the argument for the MPL will fall on deaf ears.