If the decision that has raised so much ire is not attributable to ALPA National, what is the guarantee that a DAL in-house union would not make the same agreement?

I am a regional pilot and an ALPA member. I believe in unions and want mine to be as large and powerful as possible. Further fragmentation of my union would rob it of political power and resources.

My understanding is that each pilot group negotiates its own contract with the support and advice of the national office. It does not seem to me that this structure is designed to force mainline pilot groups to enter into agreements that hurt themselves and benefit regional pilots.

I think that in the minds of too many pilots, ALPA is just another remote, blundering, ineffective organization much like many airline management groups. Times are tough and most of us are worried. It is natural to lash out at any authority figures like CEO's and union leaders. We may ask ourselves, "if ALPA cannot prevent furloughs, what good is it?" During this tough economy, ALPA and non-ALPA pilot groups have made concessionary argreements to try and keep their employers financially viable. No one likes pay cuts or less time off, but is ALPA to blame?

The airline industry has evolved to a point where regional pilots are flying jets carrying as many passengers as mainliners used to. It would be an interesting exercise to look back in time and figure out where our union zigged when it should have zagged to avoid arriving at this current state. That would not change the fact that we are here and we need to figure out how to move ahead effectively for all pilots.

Regional pilots hear of the change to the DAL scope clause and drool about the possibility of more flying. USAirways pilots explode over a seniority issue and place more financial pressure on a struggling employer. Mainline pilots oppose agreements placing regional pilots on their seniority list. All of this must stop or we will continue to slash at each other while the man laughs.

What pilots need now more than anything is unity; common cause and shared sacrifice. We cannot let fear drive us further apart. Any of us lucky to be in a secure position at a healthy carrier must still be concerned about fellow pilots being furloughed or laid off.

The best union solution to the current regional versus mainline conundrum is to make the ties between the pilot groups closer. In the past most "flow through" agreements have been one way. Mainline pilots could flow down to the regional rather than be furloughed, but regional pilots could not be placed on the mainline seniority list. These agreements should work both ways and there should be more of them. Mainline pilots and pilots of affiliated regionals should negotiate contracts together. Raising the floor of pay and work rules would benefit the profession as a whole. Then perhaps, one day regional jets will be flown by pilots paid a salary between current regional and mainline pay.

We need to begin work on a national contract for all pilots, regional and mainline. Pay rates should be specified from the BE-1900 to the A380. Pay and work rules should be uniform for all union airlines. We need to stop competing with each other to see who will fly more days for less pay.