Here's the deal for me:

I will not quit ALPA over this MEC/LEC leadership debaucle (better described as a lack of cajones). I'm not a quitter, but I have been known to hold a grudge against spineless politicians.

However ...

I have signed up to recall DW. I think the rest of the MEC/LEC are pure yes-men and political cowards. Did anyone -- I mean anyone -- EVER -- suggest a vote of the membership and following their wishes as elected representatives? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I have also resigned my positions as a P2P rep -- you know the guys who wear the red lanyard and spin the MEC political viewpoint and suppress rumors. I can't support that gig anyomore. No more lanyard for me and I used to be a lanyard freakin' NAZI during negotiations ... my, my how things change. But I'm not quitting ALPA. The stench of being a non-member -- dues checkoff or not -- is too strong for me.

I can't support an action the membership is clearly against. In fact, the numbers in opposition of age 60 are merely poll percentages. What happened to a straight-up vote on such an important issue. The repercussions of this policy shift are ENORMOUS in critical areas of our career progression, quality of life, retirement benefits, seniority, hell you name it and it gets jacked up by this policy change. Prater has caved to political pressure.

I also pulled the plug on the ALPA-PAC. Those guys are awesome! Get paid the big bucks, hob knob around DC, then realize that you are merely a political pawn and worthless ... so you call up the big boys at ALPA and say ... I don't think we can win this, so let's throw in the towel and make it look like a new paradigm shift.

Here's my big picture -- Kiss the B-fund goodbye. Congratulations! You can now work an additional 5 years! Yes, sir ... would you like your coffeee shaken or stirred? Oh, how did that new physical go? I'm sure it was real tough. I bet that 36 days of vacation and $250K is a real biatch ever since you decided to stay on for a few more years!

I used to have a personal policy of buying beers for ANY MEC/LEC, negotiating committee guy, etc. given the opportunity. YEP ... that's freakin' over ... maybe I'll just hock a loogy in it and still pass it over!

No hard feelings DW, really ... it's no big deal -- it's all good.

I'm embarassed for ALPA National and the FedEx MEC. Dave Behnke is rolling over in his grave right about now. It's a shame what politics and money can do to a profession with weak leadership and no resolve.

That about sums it up for me. No, I don't need medication, but it sure feels better now that I've vented. No worries ... my position won't change.





LMSS

NKA