Originally Posted by brakechatter

Just a couple of opinions, having experience with all of them. I agree that taking the time to write an email to the pilots is good form, especially if they don't know who you are.
With regard to Ryan Argenta in particular, I agree that he has a lot of potential. I worked with him in Engage, and he is likable, very articulate and writes well. His future is bright if he sticks with it. That being said, experience matters in the position of MEC Chairman, again IMO. I appreciate his honesty in answering the question of not really knowing what the MBCBP consists of, and the MEC Chairman needs to know about the MBCBP. There is a lot about the contract, the process and the people that he needs to learn prior to taking that office. The Chairman doesn't work for the pilots. The Chairman works for, and is responsible to, the MEC, and represents the MEC when the MEC isn't in session. The MEC works for the pilots. With almost 15,000 opinions from "A" type personalities, I personally think the process works, but the place to change it is with resolution at the LEC level.

Some clarifications, the Chairman isn't a de facto member of the NC, he/she are an ex officio member of all of the committees. It is an important distinction to understand, as the NC works for, and is responsible to, the MEC, not the MEC Chairman. The Chairman does not come in and lead the NC. They are independent elected members, individually responsible to the MEC but tasked to work together. To get fresh blood on the MEC, people need to volunteer, do good work and establish a reputation for a quality product. It's hard to get people to volunteer. That leads to promotion to Committee Chair positions and/or base representative positions. That leads to Admin positions. And yes, distasteful things happen in the name of politics and less-than-pilot-centric motivation. Always has, always will.

Stepping back now, and waiting to hear the update from this week and next after the MEC meeting.