Originally Posted by
DeadHead
Leine,
Let me just segue this by saying that I am not a DPA supporter and can't see myself backing the group in the near future. My gripes with ALPA are just that, with ALPA and in no way translates into support for DPA. It's tiresome to hear when a criticism is made against ALPA it is assumed that the person making the critque is throwing their support behind DPA.
You draw a distinction between ALPA National and our MEC, but I consider them one in the same as it seems the direction/influence of ALPA National is echoed through our MEC and trickled down to our LECs. While I realize administratively the MEC and National leadership structures differ, I still find the relationship tightly woven.
The perception (to me at least) is National passes down it's influence to the MECs who in turn pass down the guidance to the LECs who must then get the pilot group on board. I feel that this process is completely backwards and it has evolved into this because their is an assumption that majority of pilots are selfishly out for themselves and incapable of deciding the appropriate direction for this profession.
I have always been impressed with the knowledge, expertise, and feedback that I have gotten from the Reps I have interacted with, but I still can't help to ignore the MEC direction/guidance that the LECs are left to defend and justify. I'd like to see the tone change with ALPA.
Not trying to attack you or anything here, just offering up this junior guy's opinion.
DH, you just need to submit a resolution to your LEC and volunteer. That'll straighten everything out and give D-ALPA a renewed sense of why they're there, and who they work for. You're obviously not involved enough--that's the problem.
But seriously, you nailed it. The complaints I have are mostly a result of what you describe above. The result is I'm left with the feeling that behind closed doors the pilots are viewed as the group that has to be appeased while those at the top don't want to make management upset or it might cause problems down the road for some individuals who have bigger plans several years down the road; C2012 being a prime example. I'm not left with a sense that the fight is for all of us as a whole without any regard for some who have a not-so-hidden agenda. Yet we're to believe everything ALPA is pure as the wind driven snow. Survey results--no, you don't need to see that. Contract openers--you'll have to settle for general descriptions; details are over your head. Junior guys--you'll get yours some day, until then you'll just have to live with it. Change this mindset and DALPA would be shocked at how many would disavow DPA. What I see instead is a campaign of negativity and fear against DPA. It worked when it came to the TA vote so I can see how it's the go-to tactic.