"DALPA operative" and the other terms are slang for behavior that is disturbingly clear. It is a behavior that continually looks for ways to explain away very troubling events:

1. Moak stating that ALPA's contract demands won't prove onerous to airlines.
2. Moak stating ALPA's large carrier contracts are mature and radical overhauls are not in the cards.
3. Moak stating you can argue about $2 or $2.05, and that matters to the crew member, but you’re working on the margins” on the new contracts.
4. Donatelli being utterly silent regarding Moak's comments.
5. Reps stating that Moak has no reason to revise his comments because he didn't say anything wrong.
6. Richard stating that labor risk has been taken completely off the table at Delta.
7. Etc., etc.

When line pilots like you, Oberon, sailingfun, alfaromeo shiznit, etc., consistently look for ways to put a benign spin on these statements, it looks very suspicious. It looks like you've been co-opted for one of any number of reasons that are typical of the Ford and Harrison anti-labor law firm. It's hard to miss it when you guys behave this way. The only question is why you do it.

I think you guys serve a valuable purpose however. Most pilots can't imagine a law firm that would target as many line pilots and union officials as possible with either promises or threats to extract the proper behavior. Co-opting a union from the inside out is their main tactic. It just doesn't make sense to attack a union head on. It's a sure loser. Controlling a union is far more efficient and effective.

So please continue the consistent excuse making and benign spin. The more you do it, the more line pilots become educated on the fact that we have some of our own members working against us and for managements goals of strictly minimizing pilot costs.

Carl