Originally Posted by
FXLAX
It seems like leadership is the biggest variable. And it sounds like, in general ALPA’s biggest advantage is it’s resources. Every organization is going to do better with better leadership, that is a given. So it would be logical that having both at the same time is better than just one. I see it going from independent to a national “union” as increasing the potential of what can be accomplished. That potential will be tapped by leadership and like it’s been said, better leadership will always be better. Imagine the APA BOD with the resources of ALPA. Now imagine the leaderships you deserve serving on the APA BOD with the ALPA resources? That is the potential of a merger with ALPA. Of course, your part will always be electing good leadership, this always an ongoing issue at all ALPA properties, all pilot groups for that matter.
I’ll also advice that if you decide to entertain a merger with ALPA, you will be in the driver’s seat. You will be able to dictate many items that would go a long way in most of your concerns. Things like current treasury, leadership positions at national, specific by-law changes, dues reductions, etc. Speaking of dues, current ALPA dues are 1.85%. There has been national committee discussions on reducing it by another .1% pre-COVID. So there is certainly desire for dues reduction, if that is your main concern.
There are no resources that ALPA has that the APA doesn’t, or can’t contract for from somebody else, in fact, why would you want to fund resources your group never uses when you can cherry pick the ones you do need? ALPA taking on a largely dysfunctional pilot union as the APA currently is does not impart any position of power to the APA in negotiations. The APA needs to get their own house in order, then decide if merging into ALPA is in their best interest. The whole ALPA dues discussion has been going on the better part of a decade as a means to influence APA to join. ALPA is a decent union, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for APA. Currently your BOD, all AA pilots, make the final decisions. At ALPA a national BOD, or pilots from multiple airlines, is above your MEC and while they can’t “dictate” per se, they do control the requests for extra funding, they do put their thumb on the scale in various ways.
as a former AMR/AAG guy now on the outside looking in, having been an LEC Chair, MEC member, national BOD member I will repeat; get your own house in order before trying to trade brands.
When and if the time comes to join ALPA, I’ll add that Sam Pool is already very well experienced and well known at ALPA national and would make that transition flow more smoothly if you all ever decided to go that way. Personally, I don’t think you need to at this time.
Http://www.Sampool.com