Originally Posted by
Leslie Chow
Hmmmm...if ALPA is so great, I wonder why about 6000 Delta pilots are ready to throw ALPA off their property??? Believe me, those who know me would tell you that I'm no fan of the Delta pilot group as a whole, but, be that as it may, they aren't dumbasses, either. When this many of them are up in arms about something, it's nothing to sneeze at. DAPLA sends $40,000,000 a year to Herndon, VA.
$40 FREAKING MILLION!
If that money goes away,
it will not be good for what's left of ALPA. Also, if DALPA is sending them this kind of money, what's UALPA, etc sending them??? As the old saying goes, "money talks, and bullshyt walks." Brothers and sisters, if you think for one second that when the doors are closed and the backroom discussions start that a small group like Frontier and the ULCCs as a whole will get a fair shake against a bunch of whiny legacy pilots, you're an absolute fool.
Vote FAPA.
For those interested:
Delta Pilots Association - HOME
Bingo. Look at how ALPA has treated their regional carriers. Here's a example: Envoy (American eagle), Piedmont, and PSA are all ALPA carriers. About 3 years ago AMR demanded Envoy pilots vote in concessions with a promise of new aircraft. Envoy pilots voted no twice to avoid dragging the bar lower. PSA and then Piedmont pilots both voted YES on concessions to essentially undercut another ALPA represented carrier, and ALPA national gladly signed off on it.
I realize that the situation at F9
is different. We're not a regional and we're not bidding for mainline flying. However, the lack of unity from carrier to carrier at ALPA should be a concern for F9 pilots. And when it comes down to it, if you follow the money, we're not even a fraction of a drop in the pond compared to DL and UAL. I can certainly see some benefit of ALPA backing during negotiations or a merger. But long term, when fuel prices rise and we're still making money and majors are facing furloughs (all hypothetical of course, God forbid this happens to anyone), I can't help but question where ALPA national's loyalties will be. Just food for thought.