Originally Posted by
Sunvox
I'm pretty sure I never said anything about not going through the appropriate ALPA channels. Filing a PDR does not preclude the individual from talking to their managers as a professional. As a member of ALPA I will support the union at every opportunity I can, but I do not give up my rights to advocate for myself when I feel a need. Take for example the recent trouble surrounding IOE and having the flying FO moved to IRO. I filed a PDR, talked to my ALPA rep, made sure there was a Grievance in place, and then spoke to my manager and expressed my opinion that this was not correct and could they please provide me with an order to fly. Nothing nefarious. Not end running the union, but not hiding behind the union either.
Of course you never mentioned filing a PDR. You suggested writing the VP of Flt Ops, share your feelings, and inform them of their wrongs in hopes of change. Your comment is pretty clear. Your omission of a PDR and ALPA channels does not imply tacit approval of those methods. No Joe, what you actually imply undercuts ALPA when they go to the company and "complain" on my behalf.
It makes it difficult for a union to interact with the company when pilots write to "share their feelings." All the company has to is provide a handful of "Joe Peckesque" letters when the union walks in and say your pilots don't feel the way you do. What happens when a bunch of narrowbody pilots write letters of feelings contrary to an issue the union is advocating on behalf of widebody pilots?
Why do you think the union asked you to get an order to fly on the flying fo/bunky issue? Was it to offer you an avenue to put your foot down and voice your displeasure, or could the order to fly offer you a recourse in the future if the union grievance proves successful?
Here's an idea sunvox, you want to share your feelings with the company, do it via the union to allow for a single voice on my representation. Stop undercutting my 1.95%.