Agree with Carl. Networking with old military buddies may have been sufficient previously. But the good ol' boy network won't cut it any more. NA15 is a case study in the shortcomings of that mentality.

The future (successful future, anyway) points to some very specialized and highly experienced folks that may not be pilots or men) in top positions in our "union." Face it, the MEC Chair is a glorified lobbyist. He rewards his unqualified buddies with cushy gigs. He is only interested in furthering his future ambitions. Maybe that's who we need up there to lead us. Or maybe a labor attorney. As long as he/she is surrounded by sharp pilots and not yes men, this seems like a better solution. Pay the market rate for sound leadership.

Does Richard Trumka give lip service to being an assmbly line grunt? Was the Commander in Chief in the military? Why does our chairman need to be a pilot?