As a continual lurker on the forum I have seen countless and in many cases unjust attacks on unions from other unions (ALPA vs. IBT vs. different independent unions and etc). This is probably the most disturbing trend I’m seeing in our profession. I’m no old timer, but I have been an airline pilot for 15 years and an airline brat my whole life. I think we all need to ask ourselves “How’s this been workin’ for us?” I think it hasn’t and never will.
MD80 – I hope that your thread was not started to try and stir up any union agenda. You asked an honest question and it sounds like ATCsaidDoWhat has given you plenty of information as well as a link to pursue your own investigation.
EmbraerFlyer and B7ER Guy – ALPA in the last magazine put out a message that declares the importance of teaming up with and leveraging all walks of labor. That came out after the IBT did an incredible job using that type of tactic to pull off a strike. Let’s face it, without that type of support, how easy would it have been to replace 60 pilots?
The elitist mentality of airline pilots vs. other LABOR groups is truly disgusting. If you two want to try to go it alone…..good luck, look what that has done for our industry.
From my research on line, the IBT has an entire Airline Division run by Pilots and an Assistant Division Director that is a former 23 year ALPA Lawyer and Contract Administrator. To say that they are being represented by a group that is unfamiliar with pilots is just plain foolish.
TrojanCMH – I have no idea the validity of your claim. I will say that I am impressed and always will be impressed with the safety initiatives that ALPA has put in place on behalf of ALL pilots. If the IBT were in need of a safety proposal, why reinvent the wheel. The Amerijet strike is obviously a place where ALPA can learn from the IBT. These two Unions should work together, and it’s members should demand nothing less.
What we have here is a problem with MEMBERS of the Unions, spending our time engaging in bashing individual unions and members instead of using that time and energy to promote the careers of every airline pilot. Meanwhile the Air Transport Assoc. guys would just love to see airline pilots fragmented as a group.
One last thought. I have to agree with ATCsaidDoWhat, When I went as an ALPA pilot down to the Amerijet Strike, I saw plenty of ALPA pilots. I did not see any support or communication of support from ALPA National until the strike was almost over. Those ALPA pilots, the ones that showed up were embarrassed by their National Leadership. I was as well. That’s no bash on ALPA the members. It’s an indication of what needs to be changed. Let’s start working together.