Originally Posted by
scambo1
I don't know why there is a debate. I really don't. Why would you debate whether the sky was blue.
As a results oriented personality type, I can point to some ALPA positive results. I can also point to the short list you have written and add to it citing negatives. Is there ever going to be a national SOS for any reason? Never.
In the end, ALPA's lifecycle has IMO run its course. Now we have, as many would point out, an unresponsive "bloated" bureaucracy that is only self serving. I agree with this assesment.
What we Delta Pilots need is a union that is entirely serving the Delta Pilots.
Scambo,
I agree with much of what you write, but would like to make a point of clarification. There is a large difference between the "bloated" national bureaucracy and the Delta pilots who do most of the work (mostly on the committee side of things.)
I would only point to the last 3 LOA's, which have all secured some pretty significant contractual gains outside of Section 6, to show that the guys in the trenches are not all self-serving. Are there exceptions? Sure, but it's a pretty wide brush to paint all ALPA folks as "self-serving."
I agree that many things are broken and need fixing. Unfortunately, I think the time for that has passed until we get through this next contract. We need a unified group (regardless of who our bargaining agent is) if we're going to achieve what most of us want in C2012.
At the end of the day, we're all Delta pilots and I want to take whatever course will get the most guys the most of what they want.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not staunchly ALPA or pro-DPA. I did send in my card over a year ago, but will not likely renew it going into Section 6 unless something REALLY egregious happens within ALPA. Like it or not, ALPA is going to be negotiating this next contract and if we want results, we have to support the process as it is, not as we would like it to be.
Just my two cents