Originally Posted by
rickair7777
With a few exceptions, most of the anti-alpa people on this board are actually pretty rational and ask some pretty valid questions. Personally I think you come off as a tad on fanatical side...you listed all sorts of fringe benefits which alpa has been involved in (most of which occurred BEFORE deregulation, when alpa didn't confront the kinds of economic problems it does today). Sure they did some great stuff 30, 40, 50 years ago, but what have you done for me lately?
This industry certainly lends itself to unions, and we could all be better served by a single national union (or a very strong, very unified coalition of unions). I am leaning towards voting for alpa at SKW mainly for that reason alone.
But there's a reason that there is so much discontent...maybe it's time that alpa national listen up and try to adjust their course (prater has made some of the right noises, time will tell on the results).
like i said in my post, i am not 100% happy with alpa and what they do. we still don't have a contract, asa still doesn't have a contract, and from what i can tell it may be a while before we do. but i am not so blind to not see what they have done for me. as bad as our contract is i cant imagine what it would be like if all we had were the far's rest requirements to go bye, or not being able to refuse an extension, etc, etc. you are right, the industry lends itself to a union. without a union we would all be at skybus flying an airbus for 60 grand a year.
i understand the discontent about alpa. i think alpa national is finally realizing that they have big problems and they have a lot of work to do to make things right.