Regarding: What IPA founders did wrong in the Dorsey matter.

I won't quote, or respond, to any one post or individual on this matter. I will try and tell some of the "rest of the story". I won't respond again, so all those with agendas, or half-truths, can continue to have a field day with this. Have fun. If you tell the same lie over and over, some people will believe it.

Since the first days of IPA we have had people try and tear it down. We have members with their own agendas. We have had "management" pilots masquerading as IPA members. (Maybe some are on here?) We have people that were simply misinformed, and liked it. I'm not sure exactly who the people stirring the s--- are this time, and don't care.

This Just This Once response is for current and future IPA members who would like some more information.

Starting IPA was a huge job, especially against both the company and the existing union. A lot of people put their careers on the line. Many line pilots thought they would lose their jobs. We still got it done. Not everything was done 100% correctly. I'm sure the critics are perfect. I certainly wish they had been elected and could have done it right!

OPINIONS:

Management knew "shoot 1, 1000 tremble." The company knew it would be worth paying some bucks at the other end. I hear they had to.

One was shot. The rest trembled. Ploy worked.

Yes, courts found in plaintiff's favor.

But, a court case has nothing to do with an NMB decision. You must go through entire NMB process. Must have about 30% cards to even start the process. This was not the case. Cards are only the starting point. How do you get cards from people that are apparently too scared to sign cards?

The representation of the "management" pilots was, and still is, up to them. They seemed, and still seem, to want someone else to do it for them. Good luck. There was a huge personality difference between the average pilot who voted for IPA, and the average Fleet Supervisor.

Many might not remember where many of the original Fleet Supervisors worked just prior to joining the company. It's relevant! You really think these people would've been good union members? You really think they were going to stand with the plaintiff? Remember, this was going to be a completely different venue because court cases do not make NMB cases, no matter what you've been told.

Day one. No union members in the training department. Goal: get union members in the training department. Goal: eventually blur the lines between union and Fleet Supervisors. Goal: let them get organized, but they have to do it. We can only help. Eventually, one IPA president went for broke on this issue. It didn't work, then either, because you can't force them to stand up and be counted. Fear is a powerful weapon against some. And did we mention the differences between line pilots and Fleet Supervisors? Yes, we did.

To meet IPA goals there are 2 choices. 1. We can go after the people. 2. We can go after the work. Considering who the people were (and maybe are), the choice was made to go after the work. That takes time. It is still ongoing. In the meantime there are more IPA members in training. The Fleet Supervisor (now ACP) position has been severely downgraded in pay and benefits. Progress. You remember where you work, right?

Short recap:

1. Much of the argument the IPA founders screwed all IPA members forever is based on a false assumption.

2. You can't force people to stand up for themselves.

Just This Once.

Adios