Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
I beleive that the biggest issue is that the rank and file prefer to fight each other than to unite behind a common goal(s). It is easy to throw stones, but quite another to volunteer to do the work that needs to be done. Getting involved is the biggest thing any pilot can do. Do not like the answers demand change, and the best way to do that is to make sure that there are people that are like minded working with you.
Like you have said, the dogma and doctrine are not the issues, it is the interpretation. Find people that interpret it better. We are the people that will be involved with DPA. Our pilots are now predominately in the lead ALPA positions so the it is more than likely that the same people would filter to the top here. We are not ALPA Leadership. If we end up not liking them, the same will be true for DPA in a few cycles.
I've done some time as a volunteer, granted not at the Nat'l level, nonetheless, the ALPA of even 20 years ago and the concept of "common goals" was a much easier item to define.
I am one of those guys that sees serious issues with that "common goals" target ever being hit in the current day environment.
Take a look at the big picture and tell me how ALPA can truly pursue gains for all members at this point. Say UAL/CAL achieve serious scope improvement during their JCBA negotiations.....gain for them....who's going to loose their job....an ALPA member flying at a regional in most cases. True, there are many UAL express that are not ALPA, but you get my point.
And the questions could go on about NPRM, ATP 1500, or whatever. The fact is, an answer that benefits one demographic of ALPA negatively impacts another.
Perhaps not a conflict of interest, but a conflict nonetheless. I don't see a strategic plan that shows a true plan of attack that will ultimately improve the whole membership at this point. Rather a poor day to day reaction that simply perpetuates the decline of the profession.
It is the paradigm shift and the realization of the fact that ALPA cannot resolve that conflict that will probably make movements such as DPA eventually succeed in my opinion. One was tried at UA about 4 years ago. Failed, but they may have been a little ahead of the bow wave and poorly timed. If DPA succeeds, given Moak is, one of their own, I think the writing is on the wall for ALPA's decline.
My 2 centavos.
Frats,
Lee