Originally Posted by Jack Bauer

Another related benefit some seem to be missing (especially ALPA cheerleaders)- The company is obviously happy with having ALPA as the pilot representative. They like the "constructive engagement", etc (I will let each individual here guess why that is). Given that a dismal proposal negotiated and brought back to the membership will likely push the majority quickly to send in DPA cards and vote DPA in, the company is more likely to step up to the plate and offer more than they would have otherwise. That's called leverage folks, something we seem to have less and less of these days and when we do it doesn't seem to be used to its maximum potential. Even if you don't like DPA as an organization you should like DPA as a leverage producing entity.

So we have two benefits here. ALPA has a gun to their head to get something decent or else and the the company realizes they will lose their "partners in crime" with ALPA if they give ALPA a crappy proposal to carry back to the members.

Logically thinking persons will see the advantages of having DPA chewing at the heals of this contract. Others simply focus on their bigger agenda....fighting anything that threatens their beloved ALPA.