Originally Posted by 1515greenlight

Just as I expected, Carl. And you're correct, it was not meant as an attack. Our backrounds, like many guys in the 48+ age bracket (which I assume you are part of) came up in a time where the regional system was nowhere near as developed as it is today. So we cut our teeth doing the other things and learning the hard way about the value of standing together. Back then, ALPA was barely interested in commuters, let along cargo or anything else.

The point is that we must reach out and back to the regionals. We can't fix the past, but if we are to survive and keep good jobs at the majors, we must have a solid foundation below us at the regionals. That means ensuring they have solid wage and benefit packages that dovetail into mainline jobs, pay and benefits as well. Only then will the airlines stop playing this game.

As to the illegality of #3, mentioned by johnnyjetprop, I have to disagree.

A sympathy strike is not illegal. The EAL pilots went out on a sympathy strike in support of the IAM (no, let's not open that can of worms, but they did and it's legal)

More recently, the pilots over at Atlas did the same in support of Polar (again, let's not open the debate) What was important is that when management got an injunction against the Atlas pilots, they found that the Atlas CBA "no strike" language DID allow them to honor ANY picket line. What's important here is that as the ruling is written by the Federal District Court, it supported the arguement that a pilot has the right to refuse to cross any legal picket line. Therefore, if a pilot group were to strike and set up a picket line at say, ATL...all union pilots could legally refuse to cross the picket line.

Now...talk about economic clout? A regional getting crap wages goes on strike and puts up pickets at the major airports it serves. ALL union pilots legally refuse to cross. Where do you think the pressure will come from to settle the strike? Can you say other airline CEO's??

IF each airline had the same language in their CBA...NOW you have unity.

Like I said Carl, hope you did not think it was personal. Sure wasn't intended that way.