Originally Posted by
Meow1215
Um, nah bro...
For starters, ALPA is not a union. It’s an association. It’s very much driven by the MEC or “local”. National provides tools, training, and legislative interests that are mutually beneficial to all member airlines. Even some who are not members: you are welcome for KCM. They do not control the individual MECs or have influence in there decision. Every MEC is independent.
Not trying to be too pedantic here, but what exactly is the difference with labeling it an “association vs a union” when functionally they’re very similar? The teamsters has the “national” with the PACs and the big money, while each “local” operates with a certain amount of autonomy and is made up of the local workers. I’m by no means a fan of the teamsters and I think ALPA is actually better because it’s primary focus is aviation. There are much better pilot related resources available through ALPA vs the teamsters. The teamsters is geared primarily towards the trucking and waste management industries with aviation just kinda tacked in as a side hustle. I’m not denigrating those industries, just pointing out that they’re very different in needs and priorities.