This is a very key point IMO, and we still see it today. Should our "union" be in the business of selling anything to the troops? Shouldn't a representative style democracy have representatives that know their troops well enough to say to management: "Can't do it. We wouldn't have the votes for this." Instead we have a majority of representatives that say to management: "This is going to be a hard sell to the troops, but we'll do our best."

This is exactly where we are even today. As our JV imbalances continue up to their latest "deadlines", what will management ask our reps to sell next? As the block hour ratios come up for their first measurement in 10 more months, what will management ask our reps to sell next?

Since it looks like we're stuck with ALPA for the near term, these are really important questions that we all must ask ourselves.

Carl