Not only is ALPA's structure better, with ALPA there is better transparency on how our dues money is spent. Right now, the "Section 6" 1/2% dues assessment is being spent on items other than a new collective bargaining agreement. The C/B's are very clear and written in plane language; The .5% S6 assessment is for spending on a new CBA. Not LOA's or any other items. Just a new CBA.

APA is also hoarding cash via the S6 .5% in case of a bankruptcy filing by the company. Rumor has it that the last bk cost the APA over $30 million so they are hoarding cash.

Any use of the S6 .5% dues assessment is a violation of the APA's Constitution and Bylaws.

There is no way they could get away with this malfeasance under ALPA.

Furthermore, the APA spends an unholy amount of money on legal. It retains many layers and law firms all across the country and costs us millions of dollars. Under ALPA, our legal bills would be substantially lower.

Does that matter to line pilots? Maybe not. Dues are dues, and ALPA is 2%.

However, with the large pilot group of AA, and a merger bringing in assets of over $20 million in cash, and $30 million in investments the pilots of AA would have great influence within ALPA. There is the possibility of lowering dues if that is the most important issue for switching unions.