Manager and Wasatch:

Kindly let this serve as a response to both posts.

Wasatch is correct. The Alaska deal is "unfair." So's my marriage. At the moment I hope both deals continue. The reason being that we are getting something that we could not get by ourselves. While we do put more people on Alaska than they do us, the numbers per segment would not support mainline equipment, or even RJ's. Networks are critical. What we need going forward is "inclusive scope" meaning ALL flying belongs to us, even new flying not yet thought of ... it is all automatically ours.

The AF/KLM is a good example of that production balance. We get roughly half (+ or - 1.5%). Anything new by either partner drives an increase in our flying. The partners want Alitalia in, so our half goes up.

I understand why the compliance window was expanded to three years. We have airplanes undergoing modification and the inclusion of Alitalia threw the numbers so out of whack that it was going to take a while to get caught up. But at the most, two years should have been sufficient to get our metal back flying and allow for seasonal adjustments in the network.

But this sort of thing takes an expert (which I only play on a web board). It is an example of a Committee position which takes a ridiculous amount of time to be proficient in, monitor and respond to the guys like me who have questions. (and although I have lots of questions, I always thank them for their service ... it is not an easy job)

There are some insiders who do not understand, or honor, the fiduciary duty they have been trusted with. You are correct that we do not "elect" them directly. However, my Reps, who I like very much, have been told to expect a recall if they put an "outsourcing is good" candidate in position. That's how we (or the DPA) can, and should, control committee makeup.

It isn't that Reps enter office with malfeasance on their minds. Nearly everyone on that level are long time friends with the others who serve. Some get unionism, some don't. We need to help them refocus on the fact that administering our union is a business, serious business. You keep the good guys, fire the incompetents and measure success with objective results.