Originally Posted by
River6
Yes I do think ALPA had a lot to do with AGE 60 changing up until that point the Bill was hung up. I got news for you ALPA is a special interest group just like the rest of them and I'm sure your union dues along with all those guys who will never upgrade and make the big money your making went to pay off a few politicians in Washington. Are you sure ALPA is labor oriented, at least with management at any carrier you know were they stand. They are there to watch out for the shareholders, and the company and it's there job for the bottom line. So what's the union excuse?? What about all the guys who are getting screwed out of the largest raise they will ever get and that's when they go to the left seat. It's one thing when management sells you down the river, but it's something entirely different when your union is accepting dues from it's membership, a majority I may add that did want the age 60 to change, and turn around and take that money and start lobbying congrees for the change. I think's it's interesting that Unions are always wanting retro pay. So is the union going to give all these FO's retro pay? Is the union going to make up the change in these guys lifestyles?? As for trusting CEO's that's to be expected, but it's not expected from your own union. And by the way I'm a Captain at a major US Airline. I happen to upgrade 8 months before the change but many of my ALPA friends are not as lucky.
I'm sorry but I guess we (FedEx guy & me vs. you) won't see eye-to-eye on this.
A few years ago ALPA polled its members on age 60 and the majority wanted it to stay the same. That was the continued stance. Then a couple years later this "Age 65" bill started making its way through congress with the strong backing of Southwest pilots. It was becoming closer to reality.
ALPA then conducted another poll of the membership. This wasn't just the random poll on the phone, but also an online questionnaire that every pilot had access to. This asked "Do you want to see age 60 changed?" The majority said no. The next questions asked "In the event ALPA isn't successful in stopping this bill from moving forward do you want to see ALPA play a roll in crafting the final legislation?" (YES) "If it will change what age would you be willing to accept/allow (or whatever)?" (Choices between 60-65). "If the age is going to change what do you want to see ALPA work towards in the bill?"
I'm sorry, but many ALPA members seem to have a short memory when it comes to the age 60 rule being changed. We were asked for our input. I am not happy about the change one darn bit, but we were asked that if it appeared that ALPA couldn't stop this bill would we want ALPA to make sure our interests were represented in the new bill? I thought this was a long shot that the age 60 rule would stand. Tides were turning all across the world on this. The nails in the coffin, if you ask me, were the terminated pension plans and ICAO's adoption of the age 65 standard. It was only a matter of time. I was glad ALPA was at the table to ensure non-retroactivity, maintain medical exam requirements, etc.
Yes, ALPA lobbies on the behalf of pilots. But only ALPA-PAC money volutarily contributed by members can be used for campaign donations. Union dues use is against the law. And ALPA-PAC does contribute something like 55-45% split between parties...not just one. However, they are going to endorse the one candidate they feel best represents airline pilots' interests. This year one of those candidates refused to even answer the ALPA questionnaire regarding his aviation views.