As a disclaimer I am a 9E pilot and ALPA supporter, that does not mean I support everything they do.... But here is one fact that will never change in ALPA.

THE PILOTS ARE THE UNION!

Sure, there is an MEC,LEC, chairman of this, that, the other BUT all the issues that effect you and are a concern to you come up to a vote FROM THE PILOT GROUP. So lets say you vote in ALPA at Colgan and there is some RIDICULOUS "34 seat colgan scope clause", not only can you vote it down "NO" but you can oust those stupid enough to even say it was Ok and send it off as a TA. The pilots get to sit up front with mgmt in the day-to-day issues and you would be amazed what little issues your local ALPA guys can take care of ON YOUR BEHALF! 1.95% of your taxable dues is a cheap insurance policy. As a 9E guy who will self proclaim to "keep an ear to the ground" Colgan is a big issue, not in the negative sense- but in what MGMT wants. Why do you suppose mgmt was soo happy and gave you buddy (who was lorenzo's buddy if you recall) and try and promise the world to you for "no ALPA". You think all the PNCL (9e) folks want to hurt your pilot group? NO we are 99% against mgmt, come join our club, we are up against the same folks- our arms are open! With the arbitration issue on the table I do not see how any Colgan pilot would not want to hop aboard...?

I support the 9L folks. This situation is like 2 single parents making a family, why shouldn't the kids bond and make the best of it and have LEVERAGE against the parents.