Tony,

A good post, yet I disagree with much of it.

1. The masses don't want to deal with the office staff or copier machines. You don't hear us bitching about that, do you? These are small potatoes. However, the change to Age 60 may be one of the most important events of our careers. I don't make that comment lightly, but it effects our ability to bid up to captain, bid a better line, have a better commute, etc. On this important issue, where the "overwhelmingly majority" have been polled and have stated their position, our MEC decides that they know better and will go against our wishes. Again, we aren't talking about copiers or the office staff's choice in coffee. Why do we vote on a TA? It is because it is vitally important to our welfare.

2. Is a change imminent? I am not convinced that anything in our dysfunctional political system is imminent or a slam dunk. And, does it really matter if Congress decides this matter for us? I have read the proposed legislation, why do you think it would be better to go through a NPRM process? The only advantage I see is a slower process, and is "that doing the right thing?"

3. Strong leadership. Tony, let's be for real, we are talking about FDX ALPA, not the CENTCOM commander. We want our representatives to back our position, particularly on such large issues. If we were polled and 51% was pro-change, most of us would shut up and color. And, if it wasn't such a big issue, why did they poll us anyway? Did they need a 100% to decide what the membership wanted?

4. It has been obvious for quite some time that ALPA has wanted to change it's stance on the issue. Did you take the ALPA survey? Did you, maybe even just a little, think that the questions were geared to a change? I know I did...

5. Retroactivity. You know, I can honestly say that if the legislation (or NPRM) gave these guys the right to come back (and I seriously doubt it), I wouldn't have a problem with it. I don't know that I want ALPA shaping the process, because they might actually fight to get this language added. Put it this way, I don't support ALPA going out of their way to give these guys the right to come back. If Congress or the FAA say they can come back, so be it. Bottom line is that I really think retroactivity will be a nonissue. I think if you are 60 at the date of enactment then you are done.

6. What do I want? I want the union to vote their membership's position. Will it matter? I doubt it, I see this is an easy pass through the Executive Board anyhow. This is principle....