I cant help you as far as what ALPA will do in regards to your protection, im sorry.

It is just one of those things that are a leap of faith..if you take the leap it may work out fine or it may not, however if you do not take the leap you face certain career suicide by crossing a picket line. Beyond the facts that it is career suicide think about the statement you are making to not only yourself and your 9e brethren but also to all of the others in the industry.

Of course I know you are not planning to cross any line and I would not accuse you of that but it is just one of those things that we as new pilots to this industry need to assure will NEVER happen again.

As far as continuing training during a strike, not knowing, I would say yes, continue to train and take your checkride. My reasons for saying this is that by continuing training you are helping yourself by completing a part 121 training event but you are not stabbing anyone in the back by puttting yourself in a revenue creating position for your employer.

its a tough choice but there really is only one choice to make

sorry for the prior vague response, I hope this clears things up a bit