Originally Posted by baseball

I think ALPA knew this was going to happen. In the one hand they want to make sure ALPA survives the merger due to all the decertification threats going on by both DAL and UAL pilots who were angry and had vehemently threatened to remove ALPA from the property if they didn't get a windfall.

So, when ALPA gave super seniority to unemployed former pilots who still held seniority/recall rights they sort of made this problem happen and they knew it would happen. ALPA chose to deal with the fall out later and just put the lists together. You (or anyone) can say it was an independent arbitrator, but there was everyone at CAL knew the pilots would be thrown under the bus just to save ALPA.

Now that ALPA has survived, ALPA will need to reassess how it can screw those pilots some more (or not). Curious to see what happens next. I do believe in about 2 to 3 years it will all wash out, but those that are "on the outside looking in" should remember, if it wasn't for the merger they would still be unemployed and there would have been about 1400 people still looking for a job. So, if those that are trying to break the glass to get inside want to truly break the glass, so be it. But, ALPA knows that they had to stiff arm the problem for about 5 years for things to wash and then hopefully by then ALPA National could get the pilots motivated, unified, and rallied around a few common enemies (foreign cabotage, UAL management).

I am just calling it like I see it. I think ALPA knew this was going to happen, but it chose to deal with the fall out later and just get it done for the sake of the survival of the association. The buerocracy is ALPA is very strong, and their unity within the tent is a testament to the resolve of the association. Contrast that with the FA unions and see how far apart they still are.

No employees had a vote in this merger. This was a UAL/CAL management and BOD decision. All employee groups were affected and none had a choice in the outcome. While I fully respect anyone's opinion on their perception of the current situation, I think their position is formed and colored by their "legacy" company and their current position on the list and their quality of life, and their perceived justice/or injustice.

This merger was far from perfect, but it is what it is. I only hope that ALPA displays the same long term resolve and loyalty to the pilots they sacrificed via seniority in order to make this happen that they did to those that were currently unemployed when the merger took place and needed a leg up to get a paycheck.

ALPA will stiff arm it from both sides (CAL and L UAL) because ALPA knows in about 2 to 3 years, due to retirements this all blows over. By then, those looking through the window will have a new window and a new seat to go with it.