Originally Posted by
FXLAX
If you want each pilot group to only use its own dues money solely for their own use, you are advocating for each pilot group to have completely independent unions, ala SWAPA, APA, and IPA. Which is yet a whole different discussion. That has nothing to do with your conflict of interest concerns of regional versus mainline pilots. I’ll just say that all pilots have common concerns. That’s the whole reason of ALPA, an association of independent pilot unions.
A regional pilot group negotiating for as much as they can get to operate RJs does not affect your pilot group’s negotiating top pay for narrow and wide body aircraft, period, full stop. There are no competing interest in those two separate negotiations. They are negotiating pay for two separate tranches of flying. That is self evident. So therefore there is no conflict of interest.
The industry has gone through evolution. The changes and phases that it has gone through in my life time it appears as though ALPA has been hamstrung by it's divergence of interests. It's a colleciton of pilot groups. it's a collection of airlines. it's many different priorities and interests.
These are not the droids you are looking for...."therefore there is no conflict of interest." uust because you beat your chest and saiy it ain't so don't make it true. Jim Johnson ALPA lawyer said it does exist. Many heard him say it. He doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Perhaps you should call him and ask him why he said that.
The American Medical Association represents doctors interests, but it doesn't represent all doctors interests. Some practices and doctors don't agree on core issues and goals. That's where other associations may come in. IT's really no different. The airlines and pilot groups that align with the dues paying members goals (mainline) seem to me that their interests should be championed. it makes sense for mainline dues go to mainline issues. I didn't say Airline X , Y or Z. I said "mainline." i think a union representing mainline interests would appeal to the mainline pilots more so than any other models. Why not do some polling?
I would like to see kids in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana do well in their classes and SAT scores. But, I only spend money in Louisiana to support that school system. I can't be all things to all people. I have limits - financial limits. Driving results at home seems like the logical play. Driving results for mainline carriers is the most responsible thing we can do for mainline dues paying pilots.