I guess it's unavoidable that APC will get swamped again. I think it's absolutely fine to want your opinion heard, but against all odds, this venue has kept (most of the time) a decent tone, and I hate to lose it again. Some think it's because people hide behind anonymous screen names, but I note that works both ways, so I don't think that's it. I think it's because lurkers can't be hunted down for sport.

I don't know what ALPA is doing WRT APC. Several of the guys that were responsible for fighting TA1 are ALPA's response now, but perhaps that creates tensions with former allies? It's hard to tell.

I think we should try two things:
1) Keep the high road in our discussions, and
2) Expect the union people to identify themselves as such, as well as other lobbyists with a special-interest.

I apologize for my own errors WRT #1.

As a long-time observer of the MEC, I also have some views on MEC politics, and I'm sure I'm not alone. We'll need to discuss upcoming elections in some councils. To the extent possible, I think we should try to differentiate discussions about the TA, from discussions about candidates. This TA does create some interesting leverage, i.e. the VB/TDY, so it won't always be possible to separate the discussions. But we should try.




From a friend on Chit-Chat:

DALPA has enlisted a team of social media monitors to control the message in a coordinated attempt to insure passage of this TA. For those of you who only post on ChitChat, I would strongly encourage you to open a Facebook account and join the conversation there. You will see many familiar names posting messages in their usual manner and unmistakable persona. And there are many unfamiliar names you don't see here pushing this TA hard over there. You can keep your personal info confidential, limit the people who have access to your information, and only join in the groups you choose. You don't have to post any pictures of yourself or your family to participate or give any sensitive info. The format is very different and can seem more difficult to follow, but it's important to make the effort outside of ChitChat to make your voices heard. Hopefully someone more internet savvy can walk those interested though the sign up process and help ChitChat members engage on Facebook to counter the message DALPA is promoting. Airline Pilot Central is another website that allows members to remain anonymous. You can view other's posts there without having to become a member, but you cannot post your own thoughts without joining. Some of the frequent posters on ChitChat are actually moderators over there and it frequently becomes an echo chamber for management trolls who are able to remain anonymous but present themselves as line pilots. There is a small group of posters there that dominate the conversation on APC and most are very management friendly. I suspect that many are actually members of management or hired by management to carry the message. It doesn't take a lot of courage to post bravado under a pseudonym when you know you don't have to take responsibility for it. Lots of cowards on APC. My point here is ChitChat is dominated by a group that is strongly opposed to the TA. Most of us get it and agree. If you want your voice heard by others and hear what others are thinking, join Facebook and engage in the groups specific to Delta pilots. Ask someone here for advice on how to join if you need to, but limiting your arguments to this one site is ignoring another real fight taking place on FB that DALPA is pushing hard. If you don't believe that, ask yourself why the same guy that started ChitChat is steering guys to DALPA's answer men on FB. They want you to listen, not be heard. Control the message.