Dave,

In that first year you are on probation, you are pretty much at the mercy of the company. If they want to fire you, they can, and there isn't a whole lot the union can do about it. If you keep your nose clean, and perform like an average employee, you will not have any problems.

When I was at Delta, we didn't pay ALPA dues during our probationary year, but we did join ALPA. We received our union cards that said "apprentice" instead of "active" during that first year. We had no voting rights, and had extremely limited representation rights.

At the start of year 2, we became active members with all rights afforded to ALPA members, and our paychecks started getting docked the 1.95% dues charge. If you had declined to join the union in your probationary year, you would not be an ALPA member, but your check would still be docked the same 1.95%....you had no say in the matter (closed shop scenario). In this situation, you would be foolish to NOT be a member of the union, and have the right to vote on all issues affecting the membership.

Bottom line....if you are considering joining a company like UAL, DAL, etc...that has ALPA representation, you would be crazy not to join the union. As a member, you will have a means for your voice to be heard, a chance to vote on the issues, and the people that represent you. As a non member paying the same dues, you will have no voice. Good luck.