Unfortunately, the few ruin it for the many in the eyes of many. I vehemently disagree with that notion and as an ALPA volunteer it's hard not to take it personally when people start criticizing the entirety of the union. I couldn't care less about the tribalism at the top of the MEC. I care in that I want to be represented by upstanding individuals who are in it for the right reasons but I don't care in that what happens up there doesn't generally affect any of the work that 95% of the ALPA volunteers do.

The people I work with on my committee are all doing it just because we want to help. Nobody is getting rich, only two positions ever see any FPL, and when they do it's not much. We do it because it's an important job and people deserve to have a place to get information.

What I've found is the most outspoken critics of the union are the absolute last ones to get involved. They want all of the benefits without putting in any of the hard work themselves.

Your union is you. We get the reps and people we vote for. Don't like it? Get involved. It's not hard.