Originally Posted by
DAWGS
You haven't been on the short end of the ALPA stick yet, and I stress yet. You benefited with all the RJ growth while mainline furloughed. Saying it makes us feel good insults the intelligence of those who support DPA. I guess we all aren't as enlightened as you ACL. I don't like coming across like an arse, I just think you are way out of line.
Dawgs,
Objectively, you are wrong. Since you used ACL as an example, he makes a good one. Lets consider how "ALPA" screwed him.
- ACL's airline was acquired in 1999. ALPA, changed it's Constitution and Bylaws to avoid an "operational integration" trigger which would have made it policy to support a merger with his airline. His airline, which operated its own code under its own marketing, enjoyed feeder arrangements with other majors and flew 120 seat jets. It was also the most pfoitable airline in the history of man, based on a percentage of revenue. It had never furloughed a pilot and always purchased more airplanes than it ordered.
- As a result of ALPA interference in scope negotiations, ACLs airline was unable to protect its flying and it's share of Delta Connection work went from 53% to something less than 17% as "his" work outsourced from Delta was further diluted to non union carriers and Teamster's members.
- ACL was to interview with Delta back in 2001 (which is why he was one of the first in 2007). Outsourcing delayed his move by six years
- As a result of the foregoing, ACL lost seniority, twice
- As a result of the foregoing, ACL lost longevity, twice
- As a result of the foregoing, ACL's in a stagnant position - few upgrades
- As a result of the foregoing, ACL's quality of life is harmed by DC9 pilots senior to him bidding "his" equipment as their jobs are outsourced to RJ's
- ACL did not enjoy the same employment protections and rights offered to rampers, gate agents and of course, managers.
ACL has plenty 'o reasons to want change with ALPA. But he's smart enough to realize that even with our union's problems it offers a better chance at restoring this industry than does any alternatives presented thus far.
In money terms, ALPA's facilitation of outsourcing will cost ACL something in the neighborhood of $2,000,000. ($50K for 30 years + interest) and before you say it, if he got hired in the ultra competitive talent pool that existed in early 2007, he'd have been a very strong candidate amongst those at the end of 2001.