Originally Posted by
Mwindaji
Yes I did read the contract. Maybe you can explain why it takes a year to implement it and why these folks need to be unqualified working out of their homes and making more than other hard working union members and line pilots? Is the contract done? Is not the implementation dates already set by the LOA? Please enlighten me?
There are a million tiny items that need to be worked out by the JIT. Now I know that all of us fully trust management, and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that management will fully implement the UPA fairly and equitably, but I prefer to have someone from my team watching the ball. Also, keep in mind that there are two versions of ALPA that really don't trust each other either, so there are a lot of watchers----for lack of a better term. Further, everyone on both sides is afraid------man this is extremely important----that some issue or another that is not properly addressed, will negatively impact their side of the ISL.
IMO we have people that just want to get paid as a pilot without being one. Anyone have an idea what is longest a committee member has gone without being qualified in their equipment, getting that extra pay, working out of their home and not missing special days with their families? One year, Two years, Three? Now I know why it will take a year to implement the CBA. What is the incentive for folks in these positions to do this quicker? It certainly doesn’t benefit them or the company.
Yep, to find guys who want to be airline pilots but don't want to actually fly, you need look no further than the 23rd floor in Chicago, DENTK, IAHPS, CPOs, ALPA, LTD, etc. On the other hand, this doesn't mean that they don't do a good job. A pilot who loves to fly airplanes is probably not going to be the best at one of these jobs because his head is in the clouds. There are certainly slackers, but most of the union volunteers that I know put in many more hours than they are paid for. In my years as a union volunteer, I have spent many unpaid hours each month replying to emails, helping pilots, and drilling into data to determine what it really means. When the average line pilot gets home, all he needs to do is not answer the phone---problem solved. Not so for your volunteers. At least not if they take their job seriously.
As far as being qualified in equipment, why? Suppose you know that position X is going to be non-stop full-time for three years. Why waste the time and money keeping that person qualified. Let's see, if you haven't actually flown a trip for 12 months, then you probably need several days to study, three days for CQ/MV/LOE, and then a few days more for your re-test after you fail.
My tie tac - ALPA. My bags ALPA. My lanyard -ALPA. If you think this is an attack against our union, you’re wrong. If you think this is an attack against the fraud waste and abuse by a few within our union you are correct.
Is there fraud and waste? Absolutely! Is it the norm? NO!
Just keep in mind that every time that you or some other pilot attacks a union volunteer, you make is less likely that he/she will return. That is how you end up with guys who go to the dark side, and how you end up with perfectly qualified guys who just drop out. Then the less qualified hacks end up in important positions.