Snoring like a flippin' saw mill on the lounge chairs.

 

Printing the entire bid pack in the AOC during the AM launch flight prep time.

 

or all the ATL plates.

 

<< Originally Posted by Falconjet
I have no problem with ALPA, I am ALPA. So is every other pilot at FedEx. I do have major heartburn with the FedEx MEC and our national "leadership". They clearly are not ALPA because they refuse to represent the will of the majority of their membership. >>

What kills me is when people say "But 68% voted FOR the LOA ...", not understanding that when people vote for something thinking that it will NEVER affect them directly, it isn't really a "will of the majority" vote. When you blow off the will of the people MOST DIRECTLY affected by the LOA, you alienate them. Do this often enough, with different issues, under the notion that "it's only hosing a minority of the pilots", and eventually you've alienated the majority of the crew force. Guys nearing (or already over) 60 ... overseas-based pilots who could have provided valuable input on an FDA ... junior guys ... people with kids ... we're a crazy-quilt of minority interests, and watching out for ALL those minority interests is the best way to protect all of us. Too bad our union leadership doesn't understand this.

 

scamming the scooby snack....

 

Anybody remember Fast Times at Ridgemont High?

Our MEC/LEC are the two cheerleaders at the pep rally trying to build up spirit amongst the student body, represented by our crew force.

The irony is that ALPA is set up with such archaic and inane bylaws and rules that trying to get involved is much more painful than sitting on the sidelines and watching the grass grow. It was apparent today that many pilots have tried to make their points to the MEC/LEC and have been met with the same mantra repeated over and over again. The MEC/LEC members have not been listening, they have been talking down dissension and disagreement with an overwhelming bully pulpit.

Eventually even the hardiest soul will give up when they have beaten their head against the wall enough times, and I am afraid that many of us have reached that point. People ARE trying, and they are being stymied by the very organization that purports to represent us. So be it.

Enough of the protestations to have an better plan or get involved from the uninvolved masses. The leadership has made it clear they would prefer we pay our dues and vote yes to whatever they propose, and we have let them.

I simply hope that the current leadership has some kind of magic bean in their hip pocket to bring the disenchanted back into the fold before our next contract. I agree with them that we need to be unified, but I disagree with them over WHY we are not unified. That will likely never change, hopefully they are right and I am wrong.

FJ

 

My head hurts from pounding it against the wall that is this union. They did not listen today. They threw rocks. They will never listen. They will just find a reason that the individual speaking against them should not be listened to - and if you try hard enough an excuse can be found to discount any one individual.

"This is not the right vehicle for change" - seemed to be today's message about the recall. Last week's being "you can change your vote anytime guys, but did you know you can switch your vote, please switch your vote - only if it is against the LOA of course"

Look over here, no look over there, did you see anything? I did not. VEBA what?

 

I will heartily disagree with your assessment.

Let me ask you Falconjet. Did you speak in favor of the movement to issue recall ballots? I only heard 4 people do that. One threw a fit and left in disgust after the first vote result was announced. Reasonable responses came from the LEC members in response to some sweeping generalizations he made. He actually came off as a fringe guy when he admitted some of his correspondence had been somewhat confrontational and sophmoric (my interp).

Another guy made some remarks about feeling isolated from the MEC and that he didn't want to be frustrated any more. His block rep acknowledged his points, accepted some criticism for himself, then said "please.....if you have concerns, get in touch with me." -- the speaker looked up and genuinely said "I don't know who you are".....the answer was, of course, "I am your block rep"--made me cringe.......

Not good for the home team. FB, the guy that made the motion did a professional job and graciously acknowledged defeat of the motion. He encouraged all to get involved. DW then spoke and told FB that he respected FB's right to use the system and FB should not be vilified for it. (There were some from the peanut gallery that used their time to speak against the recall motion to level personal opinions of FB's motivations...personally I thought it was uncalled for at the time)

He also said he (DW) remembered what it was like to take a stand in overwhelming opposition knowing you were doing the right thing (obviously refering to the early organizing days here)...was very gratious toward FB.

The LEC went out of their way to make sure the process went as it should with the possible exception of the ballot box that no one had the key for.
SM in a keen act of pro-active leadership not seen recently (Just kidding), smashed the box open to prevent a delay in the vote.

I will also say that I believe every LEC member present had three proxies and were able to vote them accordingly. I believe they got the word out to have some come out and vote against it. That is their right.

The funny thing is that they the (LEC) did more to help FB exercise his right to call for a recall ballot than most of the people Pi$$ing and Moaning on this site. 9 votes for recall ballots, some were proxies. FB came with three and voted one I believe because two weren't filled out properly. Where were you?

Did you speak on behalf of the recall ballots? Did you vote for recall? Did you stay till the end? Were you one of a couple of guys who voted for recall and sat there silently while FB took a beating graciously? Funny thing is that for the last two recall motions, instead of 9 "for" it was only 7 "for". Of course, one threw a fit, took his ball and went home......so that explains one vote, but obviously between motion one and three, someone changed their position on recall........Are we going to hold them to the same standard of credulity we did for the MEC members that appeared to change their position with the appearance of the LOA side letter?

Maybe now they just wanted to be on the winning side. Or maybe they were afraid of being identified.....who knows.

9 Votes and proxies for recall, one guy took his ball and went home. Only 4 guys spoke for recall.........Pathetic when you think about how many people complained on here.

I tell my son as a young man, when subjects come up that require intestinal fortitude, you need to ask yourself, "If not me, then who?".....FB asked himself that and put his money where his mouth was today. Not many others calling for the recall answered that question that way. They said "If not me then, ......FB".

Like them or not, those MEC members have stepped up and volunteered.......that takes intestinal fortitude. Instead of working (admittedly with flawed logic sometimes) on our behalf, they could have been out playing golf or doing whatever the absent recall crowd thought was more important today.

Though I have some displeasure with recent events, and feel I identified with those that "want new blood", I am firmly convinced now that the MEC (flaws and all) are more firmly committed to the careers of pilots at FedEx than most FedEx pilots are. DW, WR, DM, CB have patiently listened, pationately disagreed, indulged, etc. while I spoke my mind. Not once have they tried to disengage, and usually they were the ones to continue to engage, not dismiss. They have acknowledged the merit of some of my ideas and have been responsive. I have been impressed with their respect despite the diametric opposition I have held to their views.

In that regard, the MEC treated their opposition with more respect than the absent recall crowd treated FB who was attempting to represent them. FB was let down by the guys who spout bravado and don't act. Shame on those guys!

I think the MEC got the message though, though initially, there appeared to be some condescending remarks regarding dissent, they did not continue. I think we ought to move on.

If there are any more blocks interested in doing a recall. Know this, you better have your $hit together, cause your Block reps will. Also, make sure your brave APC posters really will show up instead of attending the opening of their garage door or getting their plants neutered. It looks bad for the cause when there are more guys on the MEC giving effort to the proper administration of a recall effort than there are guys that show up to generate a recall ballot.

Good Job FB......you put your money where your mouth was even though you knew it would fail. You had a set of big brass ones....

If I have you wrong Falconjet, if you were someone speaking on FB's motion in favor and I didn't remember you, then I apologize. Please realize this diatribe is directed to the guys that couldn't put their money where their mouth was, just plain failed to show, or are just so plain emotional about the issue, then nothing will satisfy them.......

Before you castigate me as a stooge, know this...I am a 32 percenter

I said it before, this place (APC) is now no better than the other place. Little credibility here. I'm going to the alpa boards. Don't bother responding here. If you want to talk to me, do it at a union meeting....I'll be the guy that took the time to show up.

 

Very interesting. I am a former block Rep and Comm Chair. After serving my "time in the barrel" I took about 2years off to upgrade, vacation, time w/family...etc. For the last 3 years I have tried to volunteer for 4 different committees 3 times each. Every time I get this non-commital "we will see what we need" response. At the same time we get these missives calling for all to be involved. These I have learned are just eyewash. If your not exactly of a like mind as the current administration it's "thanks but no thanks". They guard their Ivory Tower very closely. Good Luck

 

Or printing an entire Airbus MEL!