I have contacted my ALPA rep and it was explained basically how I already understood it to be. The whole thing just makes me sick right now and leaves me with a lot of questions for both the company and the union, most of which just can't be answered at this time. And to be fair, there is only so much that the MEC can do, but I guess most of my disapointment falls on the national level. I don't know what the other furloughed ALPA pilots get as far as assistance or anything of that nature, but I would have thought that all of those union dues would have gotten me a little more than a quarterly "We're thinking of you" newsletter.

I understand that some of what I am saying is said out of disgust and a lot of disappointment, but I am tired of being stuck on the sidelines and seemingly powerless to do anything to get my career back short of commuting across the Atlantic or Pacific. I would love to hear from other furloughed ALPA pilots and get their take. I am not saying that I am not for what ALPA stands for and does for the active pilots, I would just like to see something more than what I am now.