How about if I sum up:

There is no difference between contract 2012 negotiations and the way ALPA handled bankruptcy, both being bargaining events.


The DPA would have most likely made the same decision, which was driven by the will to maximize the bargaining results for the represented constituency ... and we agreed by ratifying the agreement.

The Manager is exactly right when he states the politics of fear were used to coerce those who might have shouted the agreement down. Like him, I resent the misinformation which made our union appear weaker than it really is.

One component of "fear" is that most of the time we fear the unknown. The information disparity between ALPA and line guys is used to give the politicians the upper hand, but it detracts from true understanding of the issues which would allow the pilots to make informed decisions regarding their careers. The politics of fear fits right into the "trust us, we know what is best for you."

To get back on topic, I've read nothing what so ever that the DPA intends one iota of difference from ALPA in this regard. In fact, by parroting the politics of "conflicts of interest" they set the stage for exactly more of the same. The difference between them and ALPA, is ALPA was smart enough to know what it was doing & roll out the straw man.

Like previous straw men, baseless threats have confused many line pilots and even some working within ALPA. They fail to understand the greatest tool available to our union and fail to appreciate it. The result is a weakened ALPA who's future is at risk from apathy and efforts like the DPA.