Originally Posted by
dckozak
What is going on here is the pitfalls of "open discussion" within a "democratic" institution.
While I don't agree with the reality of whats transpiring with the age 60 debate, I'm more appalled by the "burn the house down" conflagration that's seems ready to lynch the FDX MEC leadership over
their leadership. Does anyone here, proposing to recall any ALPA officer, intend to take thier place?? Will they put in the hours required to run and lead this crew force on any issue other than stonewalling the age 60 issue?? Everyone is entitled to an opinion regarding any issue in
our union and the leadership should be held accountable to its membership. The question is is our leadership failing to look out for the best interests of
all it members, and if not why not??
I think if the junior varsity would spend less time ranting on this BB and questioning/debating the principles involved in the how and why of their decision making process, maybe they would better understand how
thier interests are being served by the elected leadership on FDX ALPA.
This discussion about tearing down DW is juvenile and lacks a coherent plan or reason. There are a lot of issues affecting
your career other than whether a bunch of geriatric pilots shorten their retirement while (minimally) impeding your career progression. If this fight is that important to you, take it to the people who are in a position to affect it, the FAA and your congressmen.
You make a solid point about the reality/difficulty of a recall-of course that was already brought up several pages ago by a couple of the junior varsity members you speak of. But in case you didn't see it here goes: a recall is next to impossible because it can only be done by the MEC which at least on the surface is showing complete loyalty to DWebb. You'd have find a few MEC members willing to recall, find appropriate candidates to replace the others including Webb, and establish an effective and cohesive grass roots plan to discredit the MEC members who support Webb to get a recall motion successfully approved for even a vote. At an airline this big, my guess is that it would take 6-8 mos. of ground work minimum and that's if you are focused and motivated from the jump off. That's probably lowball considering the low local population in our largest domicile, reaching the hinterlands would be harder and all the incumbents would do is pack each recall motion meeting with local MEM pilots who support them. What I just wrote is reality, but probably is a little too dirty and political feeling for the masses around here-something that the politicians who accept ALPA positions know all too well. That's why Webb can say things like if you loses his job over this so be it. I seriously doubt the entire MEC is firmly behind what is going on here, but the dissenters are likely outnumbered and are not about to stick their necks out for any kind of opposition when they don't have the guns to pull it off. Appear unified and save your bullets for another day.
Capt. Zman is right about better education from the union being needed, but it ain't just the newhires or the junior. There are plenty of senior types on here and in the system who don't know much about the machinations of ALPA at both the local and national level. Alot of the junior varsity team has been around the block more than you give them credit for and the rest are sharp and tend to be quick learners if you give them the info. Ever consider that part of the reason that they are so mad at ALPA is that they've seen this movie before and the popcorn isn't tasting any better this go-round?
As far as taking it to Washington ourselves, that's a silly argument. We pay ALPA to do that for us because a collective voice is stronger than an individual one when it comes to lobbying, but that voice must be carrying the message that the majority wishes for for it to work. Again you make some good points that are lost among the junior varsity and the woe is me 'geriatric' pilots aren't going to hurt your career comments.