Originally Posted by
Spoiler
One more thing, when ALPA was formed the nonunion mail pilots avg was $200/month while the ALPA pilots got $800/month. That is what you expect with union scales.
Fast forward today. ALPA is a tool to artificially create LOWER than market rates. Proof - look at all the regional FO's leaving. ALL of the ones I see are going to jobs, flying and nonflying that pay more than get at the regional. The market place is screaming that the retention factor for FO's is not there.
CA's are enticed to stay for Rick's reasons but FO's will chase a quick upgrade OR promised flow.
Which brings up a final point - FLOWTHROUGH models are pilot retention tools not cost alleviating tools. They market them as cost reducers to the naïve but the real purpose is to get pilots to stay in poverty bypassing the career expectations enjoyed by nonflying peers to one day enjoy that juicy carrot. Rant over
I'm not sure I agree with all of that.
Alpa simply doesn't represent regional pilots directly is the issue. It's more like they are saying "we represent you by proxy, so when you finally get here things will be good". They will be happy to take your dues, but anything they do is only for the benefit of major airline pilots.
But, since regional pilots have:
1.) Decided to accept employment for low wage
2.) Allow alpa to represent them
3.) Decide to allow concessionary working conditions
4.) Accept payrates on discarded scope from major airlines
What can alpa really do for you? What do you want alpa to do?
Alpa doesn't seem to want to get directly involved. The moment someone decided a regional airline could be a place to make a career, alpa became a conflict of interest.