Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Correct ... and this "battle" is over who is sitting at the table with management. Typically groups might fight among themselves over negotiating positions, but I've never seen a group (insert your own adjective) enough to have a representational fight during Section 6. Even the DPA acknowledged this before they missed their self imposed deadlines. US Air was too close for comfort and now that mess threatens to migrate here.

It is, in my opinion, foolhardy arrogance to think a guy from the bleachers (even a veteran player) could simply climb the fence and pinch hit with equal effectiveness as the experienced team who has spent months in preparations and years learning to work together well. In my opinion, your player should go to try outs, join the team and have the General Manager (us) direct the Coaches (the MEC) to play him. That is how things are done. I certainly provide my opinions on next season's roster ... .

Further, it is my opinion that splinter groups are made of people who like to splinter. People (perhaps honorable and well intentioned) who have strong opinions and who want their way. It is most common for splinter groups to quickly devolve into conflict, then divide again in a sort of self propagating nuclear chain reaction until their heavy hitters are rendered mostly hot gasses.

There are certain emergency scenarios which overthrowing the bargaining agent is a consideration. But like Egypt, expect severe economic harm as the result. As a basic rule, money flees political instability. It has got to be worth it.

Some have so lost focus that they target our brothers instead of targeting management in their attempts to negotiate a contract. It is a trend; they target ALPA National and RJ pilots for failures in Delta scope. A the end of the day management buys and allocates airplanes, management signs our paychecks, we enforce our contract with our management.

Being properly focused and being unified are how we will get a better result in Contract 2012.