Originally Posted by
NuGuy
What influence would you be talking about?
The influence to prevent Grand Theft Pension?
The influence to prevent bastardization of the 1,500 hour rule?
The influence to prevent age 65?
The influence to make Crew Pass appear?
The influence to prevent wholesale outsourcing of our careers at ALL levels?
It should be noted that the whole recent screening mess fix AND the FFDO process was only started after OTHER groups got the ball rolling. And other groups sure managed to steamroll the age 65 thing under the radar and in record time.
Heck, we can't even write contract language that prevented the outsourcing of MORE RJs, and we had to do a quickie, one-man grievance settlement.
As far as producing "overall" better contracts, I would disagree. Sure the pay rates were higher, but I will disagree on the rest. From position bidding, to outsourced instructors (bye bye 350+ pilot jobs with that, BTW) to hours of service protections, I'd have to say "er, not so much".
Nu
As for the pension question, witness the recent GM/Chrysler bailout/bankruptcy proceedings to see the power of national union with politicians in their pockets.
As for your other points, some things can't be avoided, like onrushing trains. 65 was going to happen once ICAO went that way. Didn't ALPA successfully lobby to prevent retroactive reinstatement?
CrewPass is another story. We and the government are at cross purposes. I doubt very much that CAPA or any USAPA or any other pilot group would do any better.
Have to take my son to surgery tomorrow at 0430. Time for bed for me.