A300_Driver

You are correct sir!
And I urge everyone to write their Block Rep an email urging them to grill him on what his motivation is for being the Negotiating Chairman.
I just can't get over the fact that he would be the proverbial fox in the chicken coop.

Albief15

You may be 100% right. For a minute, however, humor me as I take another angle.

First--some background. I have been in front of DM's desk a couple times.... In 2004 he had an issue with a mil leave request I submitted. I got my commander involved, and I think eventually got him to see there was no "scamming" involved but some legitimate training requirements that needed to be filled before the end of the year after I had completed my 727 upgrade. I had been inversed into SIBA in November and wasn't flying much, and could not drop R days to make my F-15 sortie count. (I did not fly any F-15 sorties during my 9 weeks of trianing/IOE in the 727). A year later I was in LA on a DH and did a hotel in lieu of since my next pairing was a DH/LAX trip. Well...like a DA I forgot the initial check in even though I was in position in the hotel. It was just a phone call from scheds...but I DM requested I come by the office to "discuss" the issue. I thought it was a bit heavy handed, but he pointed out in my 3.5 years (at the time) I had missed 2 other check ins and I needed to pay more attention. I never missed a trip--I was always in position but gooned up calling in--but his point was valid. No paperwork--no threats--just a "watch it kid" spiel.

My point? We ain't drinkin' buddies... He's been my boss, and he's chewed my ass a couple times. Didn't like it at the time, and still not 100% sure he saw my side. Not relevant to this discussion...

What is relevant are two questions. First--does DM have the background and capability to do a solid job. Next--if he does, can we trust him to put our interests first?

To answer the first question, look at DM's work history. He's been in training and management since being here, and also took time to get law school knocked out. Some guys will say "he doesn't like to fly...." based on that. Others will say "he likes to be involved in what's going on..." He has proven as an ACP to be detail oriented, aggressive, occassionally abrasive, but determined to get his agenda done. Hmmmm. Could those traits be of any value to our side? Another question...would you rather have him on our side pushing our agenda or on the other side working against us? His proximity to management all these years means he knows most of those folks on a personal level. Some would say that is bad. Others would point out DM probably knows where the bodies are buried. So--we got a detail oriented attorney who is very aggressive (a wrestling coach in his spare time) who wants to do more than fly the line. He wants to feel important and valuable. Could he get that pushing ALPA's agenda? Maybe...

The second issue is trust. Simply put--is DM a "double agent rat ba$tard" or a guy who wants to sink his teeth into whatever project gives him a chance to make a difference and feel better about himself (and I don't say that in a condescending way...being until recently an F15 IP and serving as interview coach give me a validation I cannot get from flying the line). Thankfully, I don't have to make that call. I want to be a block rep, but I'm just as glad I'm not on the MEC tomorrow. They have an important and tough call to make...

One point I will make for those who really detest DM. If you give him the job, he works for YOU for a change. If the MEC isn't satisfied with his progress or decides he cannot be trusted, he can be let go in a heartbeat. In the meantime--he will be working for you--instead of "against" you in training, management, or standards.

For all the blow hards here who have told the junior guys to "put up or shut up", I'd like to point out I'm running for block rep, Sniz considered it and may still run one day, and there are others ready to step up on various committees. The fact not one four striper besides an ACP is in the running ought to give all of you guys a bit of pause before you throw another spear at the junior guys.

I aint' saying he's the right guy (yet). What I will say is believe it or not I think he has potential to be a good guy on our bench. So--discuss amongst youselves.

Geez--we live in interesting times...

Albief15

Kind of hard to grill anyone when they give you less than 24 hours notice, isn't it?

S'okay. They don't need your input for this kind of stuff.

A300_Driver

Let me sum this up:
He's an *********, but he's going to be our *********!
I'm definitely not buying it quite yet, and I would be very concerned as to letting him in for a while with the potential for firing him at some later date...
When you get in to the consequences of potential company espionage of long term association planning and milestones, he could do irreversible damage.
I don't know that just because he may have been a good guy on a couple of occassions, and that he is a lawyer should be good enough. I know I may be attacking his character, but let me tell you, he did much worse while in his former company job!!!

Albief15

I won't begin to even hint I have enough experience to make a fair judgement. I will also say ANY management type--good or terrible--asking to go to a union position so important is fraught with peril. No argument at all there... I also know nothing about previous performance as a training leader or Navy officer.

My point was simply that being a beer buddy with a guy might not make him a good negotiator. And the inverse is also true...

Remember--Bob Chimenti wanted to kick some of our butts He worked hard for us, but somewhere the charm all rubbed off.

The best NC would be my wife--she wins most of the arguments around our house. Then again--she's got a bit of a monopoly....

ScumSeeker

Albie, the fact you are even making excuses for this NAZI after what he has done scares me. I'm not sure you are the right man for the job. Your previous post sounds like you are trying to be a fence rider and not take a side. Typical politician. This a hole has ****ed off more people than Osama. As a flex, he has had people walk out on a PC in the first 30 min of a brief. As an ACP he was fired because he was about to get the company sued for "his" military leave policy. You only had to deal with him a few times. Others had many IR's filed and hassled on serious family matters. It's time for this P-3 a--hole to hit the showers and stop making peoples life a living he!!. I can't believe you or anybody that knows him would **** on him if he were on fire. Stop trying to be a politician and take a stance. That is the problem we have now. Fire away!

Albief15

Read my posts. I don't deny he did ANY of that stuff. I'm not staying up late saying sweet nothings about him. I'm pointing out he's a pit bull at times. I got some bite marks to prove it. I still have a letter on the issue you addressed saved. It went to ALPA's military affairs group. I thought it was just me when it happend--I later found out this was "ops normal".

For what its worth--as senior TG at Tyndall I got to get in a similar discussion with a Southwest ACP out of Orlando who was pressuring one of our guys. I got to be the O-5 on the other end of the phone on that one, and it was fun. CAL pilots have some similar stories. This battle is bigger than DM, but I think the USERRA folks have scared the airlines back down a notch or two.

Give me some names of folks you think can deal with Don Malink (sp?) and company.

And dude--if you calling me poliitican--as hated as DM is if I really wanted to get the crowd to "oogle" me I'd have suggested we burn him at the stake. Instead, I pointed out the guy may have a skill set that makes him valuable to our organization for certain specific tasks. Its as much to open your mind to possibilities and revel in the irony of the situation as anything. You gotta admit its pretty wild....

Lippy

Or scary as hell.

ScumSeeker

It sounds like you are trying to appease anyone that might like DM. I can assure you, unless your name is Ric_ Tom_, or some other management stooge, there is nobody that likes him. And, whatever wild visions you have going through your mind about DM now working for "us", he will never deserve the CHANCE to redeem himself. Do yourself a favor. This is the only black mark on your record. Take a stance and distance yourself from DM as quick as possible. You are sounding like a politician. Albie, I know down deep you are for the team. Don't sell yourself out before you get started. Let's go back and delete all of our threads that started this.

Albief15

Well...if everyone is that convinced...just say "no". If the rumors are true, I'm sure the MEC will politely thank him for his interest.

If he HIMS allegation is true, can't that involve legal action? I would think you would get a good pat down before you final walk out of the offices at Kirby.

Some folks have indicated having people that can go from ALPA to Mgt is a good thing--showing a spirit of cooperation. On the other hand, with the latest LOA, I can see how there is a strong suspicion that the company has influenced the union more than the union has influenced the company.

What's the fix? Do we sign "non-compete" agreements when we accept union roles for a fixed period of time banning us from accepting management or training jobs? That isn't tongue in cheek--its a legitimate proposal if you think the credibility is so low right now. There may be a quid pro quo we don't see behind the scenes, but it won't be a "management job" on the backend for a former union officer.