Federal Statutes trump all state right to work laws as was stated earleir. Agency shop agreements are allowed.

If the contract ALPA had with both sides of the new USAir had agency shop provisions, they'll still be in force until amended at a later date. Same goes for LOA's and the like. USAPA is in a caretaker position on the current contract and has a duty to fairly represent all pilots -- east, west, members and non.

With that said, absent a contractual provision nothing requires that anyone pay a contract maintenance fee or their dues through a checkoff procedure. It's a convenience for the member and more significantly allows the 'union' to have a steadier income flow. You can still pay your obligation by check and snail mail every month. Take that for what it's worth.

Just don't go off the deep end and put yourself in a position of losing you job because you don't like USAPA, they're just not worth it.

Besides, you can always do what we did at FedEx, bide your time, wait and take over their damn union.