Originally Posted by
Timbo
What year did you first become a pilot represented by ALPA?
What has happened to you since you entered the industry will obviously color your world view.
Since I entered the industry in 1985, ALPA has allowed the B Scale, which started at American Airlines, a non-ALPA carrier. ALPA then did not support the Eastern Pilots when they took on Frank Lorenzo, all those loyal ALPA supporters lost their jobs.
ALPA then allowed 50% of the Major's domestic flying to be outsourced to minimum wage RJ operators.
After 9-11, as UAL and US Air were entering bankruptcy, ALPA allowed our retirements to be flushed down the toilet with zero pushback, no SOS threat, and no snap-back clause for when the airlines recovered.
After that, ALPA allowed our retirement age to be raised to 65, in direct opposition of the membership's survey results. That, along with the termination of our DB Plans, has caused us all to have to work 5 years longer, so 5 less years to 'enjoy' our retirements.
We are today working more days per month, for less money, with expensive health care premiums and very little retirement plan, compared to our former plans.
Did you read what our ALPA National President said about our contracts now being "Mature" and that he didn't see us making any real gains, but just arguing over a percent here and there? Proactive Appeasement is not how this profession became great.
Pick up the two books, Flying the Line, volumes one and two, read up on how we got to where we were in 2000, and then compare that to what you've seen going on since then.
About the only 'good' thing I see ALPA doing today is fighting against the Middle East carriers who would love to get their hundreds of wide body jets in to all the US Cities. If we lose that battle, we are toast, long term career wise. That is the only reason I still support ALPA and the PAC.
All good points. 1998 and I've read both books. You mention RJs and age 65. True career killers for people in my category. I do blame the RJ debacle on ALPA. We (you mostly
) allowed the camel's nose under the tent and the camel blew up the tent. Age 65 was heavily pushed by SWAPA. The B scale, as you stated, was first allowed by APA.
How many of these issues do you blame on the industry? The industry has been through the perfect storm in the last 15 years. In the end we're just an association against some huge money in the business world. We're a collection of individuals from 22 to 65 with different issues and priorities. I look at APA, SWAPA, and USAPA and don't like what I see. I see them using the assets and bargaining power of ALPA for their own interests. I look around and see carriers choosing to join ALPA. Perfect no, and probably needs a makeover, but the best option we have in my opinion.