I don't really care whether any pilot rep sitting on the BOD has to maintain confidentiality, has earmuffs on during meetings, or if he has to listen to a steady stream of propaganda (I'd hope he's sharp enough to filter at least some of it out). What matters is that he provides something that few BOD members have... a pilot's perspective and VOICE! There are countless folks on Boards with MBAs and JDs but not enough with ATPs or line experience. If we don't get a seat at the BOD we don't get much influence on company direction outside of contract negotiations. Maintaining relationships at the BOD level is essential to having influence. It is debatable who should represent the pilots, and I'm sure some candidates would represent us better than others. But, with little to lose and much to gain I am surprised that anyone would question the value of having a pilot on the BOD.