Originally Posted by
dragon
I think ALPA wants to maintain the same - ol, same -ol and any threat to that from outside, independent thinkers is a threat.
True, but it's more complicated than that. There is not a volunteer, or a paid employee of the MEC administration that does not do what they think is in the pilots best interest. The issue is the institutional inertia of a system that while outwardly appearing democratic is weighted towards maintaining status quo by rewarding fealty with unelected positions that are beholden to the MEC Chairman rather than the elected Reps he ostensibly works for. It's bottom up - after direction comes from the top. Fail to follow the Chair's lead and you lose that well paid flight pay loss position. From a Rep side there is the belief among many that rather than a true Representative, the MEC body is more like a BOD that takes considerable lead from the Chairman of the Board.
I strongly suggest you read the following "State of the Union" primer by the outgoing C20 LEC Chairman. Disclaimer: he is obviously being divisive, spreading lies and disinformation, and aiding the DPA 
Many of us have sent in DPA cards we now regret. I do know that ACL has always advocated change from within.
Then put your thrust in a vector where it will actually do some real good, and encourage others to do the same.
Let's face it, ALPA isn't all it could be and has a huge conflict of interest. However, the current PWA warts and all is significantly better than everyone except SWA is using.
This is one of the biggest fallacies of the DPA.
In the
non-binding, advisory meet and confer required of the Ford-Cooksey settlement,
ALPA regional DCI carriers supported our Scope changes, knowing full well the ramifications - because they want to see the mainline grow and hopefully see a mainline job. The
ALPA regional BOD reps 2 years ago put the final nail in the coffin the attempted resurrection (by UAL) of the National Seniority List because they knew it would make them junior forever.
ALPA Regional members supporting mainline Scope, even at the potential cost of their own positions - fancy that.
I'm sure they'd be doing all of that if the weren't part of
ALPA 