I'm not talking about dues.

I'm talking about being an actual union member and actively participating in the collective bargaining process...instead of sitting on the sideline, chucking rocks at your elected/volunteer reps for unmet expectations and somehow thinking your dues money entitles you to anything other than the negotiated CBA you already enjoy and take for granted.

I'm talking about taking risks - individual members within each pilot group making the conscience decision to take the required professional and personal risks that are necessary if one really wants to gain any tangible benefits. Are you willing to take any risk beyond a dues checkoff to help better yourself and your colleagues?

One pilot, or a handful of pilots, or even a large group of pilots can't do anything if their group as a whole is apathetic...and in my previous experience as an ALPA volunteer apathy is the single biggest problem airline pilots as a whole and pilot groups as individuals face, even moreso than bankruptcy proceedings or "evil" management.