For those of you too young to remember;
The Flight Engineers International (FEIA) struck Eastern Airlines and several others in 1962- over the loss of their jobs.
The airlines refused to sign a contract with them. The short story is this;
With the coming of jets and their relative simplicity, having a flight engineer with a thorough understanding of engines and systems was becoming less important. Many of the FE's had a lot of longevity and were paid more than First Officers in many cases. Most were former A&P mechanics, a very few were engineering graduates.
Airline management saw that seat as a good entry level position for new pilots with lower labor costs ( wages).
ALPA saw that seat as an additional 20 to 30% increase in dues paying members.
The two got together and decided to put the FE's out of the cockpit.
The FE's were union men and members of the AFL-CIO.
ALPA national came up with some rather lame reasons why a pilot should be sitting there ( but it was just eye wash) to justify crossing the picket line and taking their jobs.
As I recall, only American, Braniff and Pan AM and TWA settled with the FE's.
American pilots were incensed that ALPA would send it's members to cross another flight deck union's picket line to take their seat. That added to the fire which eventually took American pilots out of ALPA.
So, when I see people digging up stories of ALPA "How great thou art" because of a strike- I have to giggle and frown at the hypocrisy and silliness of it all. ( divisive too) As well, I remember seeing guys cross a picket line just months after pounding their chest about what a great unionist they are. Some, especially it seems younger ones are so quick to judge before they walk in their moccasins.
My dad, like many of his friends, were good union members and truly believed the ALPA line- until that day in 1962. Then they were given no choice by their union "ALPA" and the company; cross that line and scab or loose your job. Luckily for my dad, he had enough seniority to avoid sitting in the FE seat and bid to a junior base to stay in the right seat ( an Electra I think). Some of those Flight Engineers were family friends with whom we (had) eaten, played and regularly socialized with. Some were neighbors.
The airline did offer jobs to any FE who would go out and get a pilot's license. Very few did or even could. Quite a few of those who did, later scabbed at their respective airline when ALPA struck years later at EAL, CAL, etc.. payback I guess.
So I think anyone who gets some joy out of digging up a very bad time ( the most recent anyway) for our airlines- dial it back and save it for a day when your actions ( not your words) will determine where you stand. Your bluster is just so sophomoric.
That goes for all the "me too, me too- I hate scabs" , yadda yadda yadda.
And by the way; there is nothing wrong with forgiveness- unless of course you think you are perfect. In that case, you do not belong at the controls of an airplane.