Purple Bros/Sisters:

Don't forget about the age 60 issue! I was talking to my state senator earlier this week and he thought the majority of pilots out there are in favor of increasing the madatory retirement age to 65.

You see, he thought that if our biggest labor union was in favor of age 65, that obviously the majority of pilots must be for it, seeing as how ALPA represents US. He was quite intrigued that wasn't the case. He mentioned he would be out of a job if he did that

Don't believe ALPA's BS!! Stay engaged with your elected officials. It is NOT over yet.

Fred

 

Let’s not give up the fight yet. Congress is still in session until 16Nov. We each need to send one more email asking to maintain the current rule or support ALPA’s proposal on changing the Age 60 retirement age with provisions. APAAD.org is planning a blitz campaign this week in Washington, DC. They don’t consider the pilots who want to retire while healthy and live a long life or damages done to other pilot’s careers.

Their own website announces the surrender of Captains T.L and J.B.L and another Capt J.J “hits the wall” on Nov 9th. I am sure there are many 50 year olds willing to take up their fight because it is about "discrimination". Yeah right, those in their 50’s want to advance their seniority and will not join the whining until they are 58 ½.

The law will change, it is up to us to change it in a way that protects accrued benefits, does not force us to work another 5 years and allows pilot to keep B funds in tact.

Addresses to the Senate
http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

Addresses to Congress
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

 

Is this another example of ALPA supporting its membership???

So we have to resort to appealing to our elected officials, while OUR very own organization works against OUR interests using OUR money!

Good Grief!!!

 

Aren't unions wonderful?! Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

Take a look at hiring at FedEx and UPS right now. It is stagnent. I have heard that both companies plan to hire almost no one in 2008. And this is with age 60 in effect.

For all of you who thought that changing age 60 would not dampen hiring and seniority movement, what do you think now??

I just hope age 60 lasts as long as possible. Right now it will last atleast through the first of the year. I am hoping it takes several more years.

 

Let it go.
43% wanted the rule to change outright.
62% wanted ALPA to drop/modify its existing opposition of the rule if it was evident that the rule would be changed in the near future.

Age 60 change is a done deal for ICAO pilots.
Age 60 verbiage is in a plethora of spending bills in both houses.
The number of Age 60 supporters in Congress has gone from a handful to hundreds.
The FAA is working the issue via NPRM.

Some times you have to cut your losses and press on.

 

Ya I remember how that question was worded.. Definately in a way to argue the change... It was a BS question THEN and NOW.. And it only existed to make the same case you are trying to make!

Also I might add.. ALPA's change of position (Straight at the Prater Road Show) was to kick the Age60 change out of legislation and back to the FAA NPRM process... Folks are getting on board to support it because of this change in policy by the largest Pilot's Union... It has gone from influencing it to us wanting it..

 

Politicians are very good at telling you what you want to hear to keep your support.

The ones you correspond with may know exactly what is going on, how they will vote and how you think about it. But they don't want to look like the bad guy. They feel the pressure to act on a perceived age discrimination issue. Their non-pilot constituents wouldn't understand if they showed ANY inclination to vote against the elderly. They also don't want you or I to think they are intentionally voting "against" the membership of a labor union. Even if it is just a pilots' union. They feel they can stay in favor with us if they say the right thing while voting for age 65. They have spent many years learning how to appeal to more than one side of an issue. Also, if it comes down to siding with labor or the elderly, I don't think labor will win.

Don't give up the fight but don't expect much. We may still be able to work on getting rid of the retro thing.

 

The real shame is that we'll never know what would have happened if ALPA national had shown some stones and remained opposed to the change. I have a lot of respect for the APA and the NW MEC for standing tall in the face of adversity.

I only wish my union representatives had shown similar resolve.

FJ

 

Always have been opposed to ANY support to changing the Age 60 rule. Disappointed eternally in FDX ALPA for cutting our legs out underneath us by supporting the change. Old news; nothing we can do about history. BUT, the Age 60 guys going to Flex positions instead of plumbing does two negative things to all of us under 60. First, it keeps them in the game for eventually going back to a window seat without plumbing as the contract and law dictate they should AND it reduces the number of line pilots the company would have to utilize to fill these flex spots. I know, since the flex deal got gutted nobody wants to do it anymore so let'em do a job nobody else wants to do. But, what if they couldn't get the necessary number of under 60 guys to flex? They'd probably have to improve the benefits that made being a flex so attractive for so long which would in turn allow line guys to migrate to these open flex jobs. That in turn would reduce the number of "line" pilots which would ultimately require the company to either increase pilot numbers or enhance pay rewards for pilots to fly more then BLG. Big picture, why doesn't OUR Union take a stand on significant steps taken by the company which ultimately negatively impacts the careers and quality of life of the pilots they are SUPPOSED to represent? Curious to see if DW and his gang respond or ignore this latest move by the company to enhance the FDA LOAs without negotiating with the Union. If they don't take a stand, then really, what do we need a NATIONAL union for?