Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
I just don't think it is appropriate or necessary for ALPA to ask regional new hires for contributions to a fund that does absolutely nothing to address the glaring disparity between mainline pilots and regional pilots. Especially when those PAC funds are going to fight airlines that can and do put direct wage pressure on US airlines.
Listen, I've been in your shoes, ready to get out and willing to jump at the perceived next best thing, I get it. The PAC is not intended to address the disparity between regionals and majors. $10 a month is not a stretch, at least that's what I did as an E120 FO making $19 an hour in 2000 at ASA. The PAC gives the US airline profession a voice on Capital Hill to promote and defend the profession. But back to disparity...do you really want us to lower the bar so that you can fly the heavies? Think about that for a moment!
Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
Congrats on making it to United--fwiw I'd be saying the exact same things you're saying if I was there. Everyone should fight for what is in their own best interest--for you, that means protecting US legacies. For me, that means not protecting US legacies, and allowing Emirates & Ethiad to do as much flying here as they want.
So because you're frustrated flying at the regionals and wanting desperately to fly the heavies you are willing to crater the US airline profession so that Sheikh Al Maktoum can come in and deliver you your "so desired" heavy seat, is that correct? Remember, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, as a matter of fact, there ain't a whole lot of grass in Dubai.
Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
I'm not going to devote money to a fractional possibility that one day--years from now--I might have a seat at a US legacy. I think the probability of having a seat at a foreign carrier is a much more likely near-term possibility. Until those perceptions change, I won't support ALPA-PAC (or ALPA in general). ALPA has acted counter to my own financial and career interests so many times in the last decade, I simply don't trust anything they say or do. This includes the idea they're selling with the ALPA-PAC: "regional guys--you have to help us pay to protect our jobs at airlines that you have a very small statistical chance of being hired at in the next thirty years."
All 3 majors are hiring like gangbusters as the retirement bubble is bursting, so unless you have some skeletons in the closet you should be able to get hired over the next 2 years. If not, your thinking is very myopic in that it's somehow ALPA's fault and that it is best to support foreign ownership here in the US.
Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
For many regional pilots:
(Perceived economic outcome of getting hired at a legacy * probability of getting hired at a legacy)
is greater than
(Perceived economic outcome of being stuck at a regional for life * probability of being stuck at a reigonal for life)
Thus, those regional pilots are supportive of efforts to protect US legacies.
For me personally, my perceptions of those probabilities have shifted through my last two reigonal jobs, and I don't buy it.
Maybe that will change if legacies actually start hiring people who are not check airmen, military, or EEO hires in droves.
Again, very myopic, but thankfully you are in the minority and the MAG pilots have a grasp on reality. Good luck with the Sheikh!