Originally Posted by
freightguy
Reply to ACL's post:
Not drinking any sort of Kool Aid. I have an opinion on this issue that is not that of a rumored position of ALPA. I have my own opinion. What I am illustrating with the Emirates issues and the Foreign Military Base issues, Cabatoge, and Foreign Ownership issues, the 1500 v 500 hr rule, and the NPRM is that we as pilots like to isolate each issue and take a stand on each issue. Well the ugly truth is that many other entities combine all of it, and it becomes a game of best option for everyone.
ACL..just to clear, my issue is with ALPA and not you. What you told us last week (Emirates vs. 1500hr issue) was very similar to what the union reps I talked to last week stated as well. The union rep I talked to specifically told me that we are supporting lowering the 1500hr requirement to keep Emirates away. This week the reps I talked to changed their tunes and now they are talking about MPL, cabotage etc. Heck..may be they are reading the crack-pipe!
To date, no union rep has been able to give me a consistant explanation on why ALPA is not supporting the 1500hr rule. Their opinions and reasons change week by week...which is leading me and others to believe that it is BS.
Maybe because those are the realities that face this Association and this industry.
I would not be pleased with a 500 hr rule as I see that as an area of time that is still in the range of many to purchase. You go to the 800-1000 hr range and it tied with, strict AQP 300 course work, and min standards on a variety of procedures that airline data shows as lacking in addition to minimum work experience you probably have a better safeguard in place. Add to it, having aviators seeking accredited degrees does a lot more for this profession in the long term.
Then why are you defending ALPA which publicly stated they support lowering the requirements to 500hrs in agreement with the' FAA committee led by the regional airline official'? ACL, I see so significant difference between implementing what you're suggesting and implementing 1500hrs. If you can't find pilots with 1500hrs, where are you going to find pilots with 1000hrs+aviation degree+AQP 300 course work (whatever that is)? So how is that going to keep MPL, cabotage, foreign pilots etc away when 1500hr rule cannot?
ACL, like some previos posters mentioned:
Never negotiate anything away for a future promise....remember how taking a paycut to save the pension worked out for our folks.
Peace 
I can disagree with something like this. I know there is a lot left to be done on this issue, and ALPA and no one else will be able to effect the outcome. Not agreeing 100% with one bullet point on a huge change in legislation is OK. There will be a lot more to the end decision. Furthermore, even with ALPA's other "mistakes" as many like to call em, I still support the structure and the organization.
Politics is ugly. Screaming at the top of your lungs may make you feel good, but it will get you locked out of everything important eventually. Heck even our CEO is Chair of something he does not like because he knows that it is important to get in on the ground floor and set its structure up correctly. That is what ALPA is doing here. Crafting a layered rendering for a cutout in the law. That is just smart for the profession. Disagree if you must, but worst case, the floor for gaining a 121 job just went up 100%. We all would want more, but as Alfa states, that is not how the real world operates.
My idea does a few things above and beyond 1500 hrs. It truly directs entrants towards degrees and a level of professionalism that needs to be brought back. It is step one to get to an end state. It give work, education, and flight time different levels of benefits depending on the path you take. It is all set out and a know before you embark on a profession of piloting.