727...

I could not agree with you more! Local 747 has been a train wreck and embarrassment to labor for a long time. Don Treichler allowed Gene Sowell to run a personal fifedom with pilots paying for it and getting squat in return. I was a 747 member myself for awhile. After having been ALPA for years, it churned my gut and was happy to be back at an ALPA carrier.

Hoffa's choice of Bourne to lead the Airline Division was a good one. It's pretty apparent that he's been given the green light to get in there and fix things. Let's face it, Treichler gave Sowell anything he wanted and at the same time, from what I've been told by some of his elected people who were not in the "clique" that both of them refused to let Hoffa's people in or let them communicate to the membership. Seems odd, but apparently true. Treichler even refused to put Hoffa's messages in the newsletter. And you are 100% dead on with how Sowell used to brag about properties other than his own. Funny how the one he couldn't get his paws on, ABX, did OK.

So Bourne and his folks have a lot of things to fix. I think he's sent a pretty clear message that "business as usual," won't be happening any more. I talked to one of the office staff down there yesterday...they REALLY answered the phone! She was a bit reserved, which made sense, but was also really happy about what was going on. Seems that he ran that office like his own shop too. Said these new guys are no nonsense and already working pretty hard to try and turn things around for the pilots. Best of all...they're all SEASONED AIRLINE PILOTS!

She said Sowell was really PO'd about Cape Air and trying to start a revolt. Hell, guess he would. Bourne had already given Kalitta the green light to move to Local 1224. Bet THAT was gonna cut into his $$$.

If Bourne turns out to be half the trade unionist he was for his pilots when he was MEC Chairman at Atlas, I'd be looking for big things over there. All of which is good for those guys and our collective profession.

About my posts regarding ALPA. I'm a long time member. And been involved for many years, not a bench warmer at all. ALPA has for many years done a tremendous job for us. But in recent years, the leadership has been sorely lacking. We have guys who want to be politicians and get invited to Washington parties, play golf, drink expensive scotch and smoke fine cigars instead of being the leaders we need. Who say they have "Potomac fever" and need to be near the "big players." That's what PO's me.

There has been financial mismanagement there too. Call up to DC and ask for a copy of the "Fagone report," written by the FDX EVP of the same name who was asked to investigate the allegations and what he uncovered about some folks on the Executive Council who double dipped at their MEC and National and got it covered up by the ALPA President from the same carrier...by letting other pilots fly OT to pay back the money...a HOU based carrier...

To me the ALPA Code of Ethics means something. They have tarnished it and the hard work of so many who came before. And of the tremendous staff of people who are so dedicated to us on the line.

ALPA has done a lot for so many years. It kills me to see what is going on. It stains our reputation. We deserve better.

What really got me was when a recently retired ALPA lawyer who still works there said, "under Dave Bournes leadership as a trade unionist, the IBT will be better equiped to serve the needs of airline pilots than ALPA currently is."

Despite what I'm sure another frequent writer will say about that quote, I heard it myself at 1625 Mass Avenue when a senior staffer asked the question. The man who said it is no rookie. He had over 30 years before he retired to consult to ALPA. He is as concerned as myself and many others.

Look, I want ALPA to be back up there. Two decerts because of lousy national leadership...USAir and Atlas/Polar...THREE failed election drives in '07-'08...JetBlue saying "no thanks"...

Yes, we got Colgan (finally!) and AirTran. Until DAL decides they don't like AirTran.

And Bourne has lost GLA and NetJets (though in fairness they were way down that road before he arrived, so it's on Sowell and Treichlers heads)...he may lose more, who knows?

But I have to give the man credit for doing the right thing. If he keeps it up, it will be nothing but good for all.

Wanna know what's sad? I got an email from a USAir guy today. It was a forward from ALPA about one of the guys down there, a former ALPA EVP who was a superb EVP and MEC Chairman. When ALPA found out he was now helping fix the mess, did they say "good job?"...nope. Here's what they said:

(I blocked out the sender and recepient for obvious reasons)
From: Representation [mailto:@alpa.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 9:45 AM
To:
Subject: Brannan

Look who’s hooked up with the IBT. What a tool.

I know the sender. We've worked together for years on many things. My only hope is that he was ordered to send this. If not, I'm very sadly disappointed. He knows better.

I think Bourne and his people know they have a LONG way to removing the stink from the past. Let's agree to wish him and his people well.