Originally Posted by
Joachim
Only if you say so...
First i think we need to explore our possibilities regarding the RLA. We need to have the same level of freedom to strike as everyone else. I am currently reading up on it and will be writing a letter to congress. I realize i cannot do this on my own but also realize that change won't come unless I/we do something.
Joachim,
I truly wish it was different but the reason I make this assumption is because we have enough trouble trying to act as a group in regards to the open-time/furlough debate. Maybe I am incorrect with this statement; hopefully we can one day unite and take action.
In regards to the RLA, I've written to the president, senator, and my congressman and only received a response from my congressman. That is what I expected though. The main topic of my letters were to grant airline pilots relief from the RLA since it is long outdated, and prevents us from achieving what we need. A prime example would be the Air France pilots. It seems like those pilots strike at least once a year and as a result they get what they want and they are treated well by management.
However I tend to think that writing letters (even on a global scale) will do nothing but get the attention of there secretaries. In order to get the true attention of the government we will need to take action as a pilot group (not involving ALPA because they won't support this) and shut down the transportation system for a few days. That’s when they will start asking what do we want.
Most recently we have been receiving this attention after the Colgan incident. I believe next week is a hearing in congress on our pay and duty times. The speaker is a C-130 driver from the Air Force, I can't recall his name though. Can anyone else? I am interested to see how that plays out, and if something will be in the works to restore what airline pilots deserve, and once had.
Last edited by seven6; 06-03-2009 at 10:26 AM.