[quote=TonyC;172465]
So on to the next question.

ALPA asked, "ALPA's policy has been to oppose any change to the Age 60 rule. Suppose it is evident that the FAA or Congress is determined to change age 60 rule and that the rule will, in fact, change. Under these circumstances, do you feel that ALPA should maintain its opposition to any change in the Age 60 rule or drop its opposition or modify its policy to be able to address the FAA or Congressional efforts to change the rule?"



As I told my rep, to make the leap that we should drop the first question and claim to have found a majority that meets their desires in the second is very weak. You tried to use logic and numbers - I think your argument breaks down. Here is mine - then you can have at it!

Your argument was clearly pointed towards those who disagree with the way DW has represented FDX ALPA's position to the Exec. Board. Your conclusion was that he represented the majority, or the interests of all of us when no poll data existed. I will argue that answers to those two questions are being misused to justify DW's actions.

Question 1. We agree that the majority of FDX pilots were in favor of not changing the rule. Basically 66 to 30. ALPA wide it was 54 to 43.
You essentially found a way to acknowledge yet dismiss these results with question 2.

Question 2. Paraphrasing, it was whether ALPA (nationally) should MAINTAIN ITS OPPOSITION (1 action) vs. DROP OPPOSITION or MODIFY ITS POSITION (2 actions)

I believe you and FDX ALPA are misusing the results. The poll broke down the results individually, and found NO MAJORITY OPINION on this question, and then created one by combining drop and modify. The numbers when broken down did show modify as the having the highest percentage by 11 points at FDX and about even ALPA wide.

But let us do something that initially seems paradoxical. Let us combine those that wanted to maintain opposition with those who wanted to "drop opposition" vs those who would modify policy. Then we see a different majority. At FDX, it is slim 51-47. ALPA wide it is 56-38. There are rational reasons to do this.
1. Hard to argue that DW followed the will of the majority in question 2. Only 47 percent of FDX pilots wanted to MODIFY policy. He voted to modify policy. A majority wanted to fight the change (whether it would happen or not) or drop opposition. These goals are different, but neither provides DW with a mandate for his vote.
2. To show that these apparently divergent viewpoints do not add up to the idea that ALPA should DO anything! It makes those in favor of modifying policy (change policy) separate from those who would not. Most at FDX and most at ALPA would not have changed ALPA policy in response to the belief that change is inevitable.

A lot is written on this board by those who wanted to "drop opposition" if you follow the posts. And why not? They agree with you that Age 60 is going to change. DW and others were warning us against wasting resources when other critical battles (cabotage) are looming. This group of voters apparently wanted to have the official position be FOR age 60 but Drop the opposition politically--- save resources to fight other battles. Somehow this group is lumped in with those who would MODIFY policy. DW found his majority!

But we can see that DW did NOT represent a majority at the EXEC Board Tony. He did have numbers to use, but unfortunately they are being misused. He should have represented Fedex pilots by voting NO! He should have showed leadership by showing us how this voter breakdown was massaged.


How can you/anyone continue to parrot the idea that DW was following a majority with differing poll results?