Carl,

On a personal level, there are some of us trying to get a resolution pushed forward which would modify the recognition section of our contract to include language along the lines "that the Representatives of the Delta Pilots are empowered to make the final decision on any problem or problems at Delta Air Lines and thus will be notified of any negotiations with any pilot group for Delta Company Flying and given the opportunity to participate at our discretion." If adopted, this would answer many of the DPA's concerns about an alleged conflict of interest. This language already exists, but is scattered throughout various places in our contract and ALPA's governing documents where it is not easily referenced. By putting this sort of statement up front, where it belongs, it will effect not only ALPA's behavior, but also any other third party representative structure who might want to do a deal with Delta to fly airplanes. We will see how that goes ....

Eventually, I would like to see a reversal of the changes made in 1998. Those changes led to a whole host of unfortunate outcomes, including the DPA.

As you might imagine, there are times when I get involved in local politics. My family never considers moving. We think we live in a great place. As a citizen it is our role to get involved and maintain, or improve that standard for those who come after us. You seem to be of a like mind on this kind of action.

Therefore, I propose we clean up the garbage around our own neighborhood which has clean water and good schools. In my view, joining the DPA would be like moving to Iran because there's a fight over parking spaces and the local tow company charges $500 to get your car out of impound. Yeah, the impound pulls are wrong and stupid, but, we still live in one of the better neighborhoods.