rjlavender

I am not here to say "I told you so" regarding Age 60, Agency Shop, or any such thing. But, what some people are discovering (and, I was fairly certain that this would happen) is that our system is broken and that, over time, everyone is negatively affected by it. By preserving our current "system of compensation", we create internal competition for seat positions that is so bitter that it distracts us from competing effectively with management. I think that some pilots are now beginning to see it for what it is. One main difference between many on this board and me is that I was first exposed to the limitations and deficiencies of this system many years ago while at Continental. To a degree, FedEx pilots are now experiencing it first-hand, thus their perspective is changing.

No need for me to comment much on this; my position is relatively well-known. The constraints of Agency Shop create frustrations and hopelessness that ultimately affect everyone at one time or another. The current system needs to be abandoned and replaced with something that gives people the ability to vote with their pocketbooks. Given the evolving perspectives that are occurring among FedEx pilots, a new system can and should be created that both motivates unity and provides a mechanism by which pilots can "pull the plug" when it is required to keep union officials tuned-in and honest. This is really an important strategic matter that needs immediate attention regardless of what side of any issue you are on.

In my opinion, this comment by Albief15 may symbolize a turning point in thinking among FedEx pilots. It certainly represents a hint of the strategic thought required to break the traditional "system" mold that has been hindering pilots for decades. I have suggested it before but, given the paradigm shift that is obviously occurring among some pilots, I again point you to my article, "Learning to Compete Wisely, A Primer in Creating Natural Unity." I suggest that readers give special attention to the sections on "Compensation Balancing" and "Junior Pilots Rule." I believe that both of these sections are especially relevant to Albie's above comments.

For anyone new here, the "Learning to Compete...." article was written while I was a union member in good standing. It was rejected by ALPA because it dissented from ALPA policy (I have retained the rejection email from ALPA). The inclination among some ALPA officials to protect the status quo, along with their aversion to risking their positions and reputations, is so powerful that there is simply no way to get new ideas into the public domain through ALPA channels. You may read it and make up your own minds.

If Albie is sincerely looking for reasonable ideas, they are out there, and have been for some time; not just from me, but from many others who are experienced in matters of organizational unity. There is a lot of good, creative thinking going on outside of the pilot world. But, pilots will never be exposed to it if they continue to rely on the limited vision of a dozen or so members of an "MEC" to illuminate them. The great answers to our strategic problems lie outside of our professional capabilities.

Bob

Micro

Bobby, While we may be frustrated and p!ssed off at how the union is being run at the moment, we are still members (paying our dues) and working to make the system work. You on the other hand, took your "ball" and went home because the union didn't listen to you or abide by your "article". You have no say at all no matter what you "print" on this board. By the way, while I am ticked off at the union, please don't quote me as if I support any of your BS.
I'm also STILL waiting for the initials of MEC members who supposedly supported your ideas as stated in your USAir post. What, did you forget who they were or was it just a BS statement.

rjlavender

Micro,

"At the moment"? Are you serious? The problems that you are seeing are strategic, they are decades old, and nothing has been or can be done to address them under the current "system." It cannot fix itself. Do you need 30 more years of experience to figure it out?

Here is your dilemma: First, you apparently do support the idea of getting rid of Agency Shop, and have finally come around to it. You appear to be embarrassed to admit that you heard it somewhere else.

Second, your comment that I took my ball and went home is simplistic. What I did was take my ball and go somewhere where something could be accomplished. I believe that that is the part that troubles you (and others). It may well be too embarrassing for you to do such a thing on your own (you don't even sign your name to your critical posts), and you probably fear the quality in others. Too bad. Your system is incapable of working. Spend all the time on it you want and, while you are at it, don't listen to anyone who has decades of experience of learning why it doesn't work.

Third, I come from a line of unionists. I watched my father march on the picket line more than once, and I did it myself. ALPA, by any reasonable standard, is not a union, and anyone with any sense knows it. You are not a member of a Union; you are a member of ALPA. The profession is in shambles because of its failed and non-existent policies, and until you join or create a real union, you are part of the problem. That is how you appear to someone who has really paid "the dues."

Last, I don't really think that most readers give your opinions the time of day. You emotionalism is readily apparent. Even your idea about Agency Shop looks like it is an emotional response to losing on Age 60 and the FDA LOA, rather than running according to the economic logic that I have proposed. I suggest that you grow up and start acting like a thinking adult. Otherwise, you (and others like you) will continue to taint the profession.

If you are truly not embarrassed about how you conduct yourself, sign your name the next time and make yourself accountable.

Bob

R1200RT

Is the wind is blowing again? OR is it just another cheap Arse?

Purpledriver

True, I'm not happy about the age 60 / 65 thing, but that doesn't mean the system is broken. There are things that need to be looked at, but taking away agency shop so free loaders like RJLavander can sit back and enjoy the benefits of a contract without paying isn't high on my list of things to fix. Seems to me we finally got a little money out of these non-members and we don't have to listen to them....it's a win / win.

Busboy

Not from him, or his pre-contract freeloaders, though.

Otherwise, I agree.

Micro

Yeah Bob I am serious!!! As I see it, you've never worked in the "outside world" (corporate America) where as an employee you get to negotiate your pay and benefits on usually a yearly basis. In our profession, we are prohibited from doing that under the RLA and require a union to negotiate for us as a group with our employer. While it maybe not be the best system, it's the way we have to do it. I don't think our (sorry, MY as you're not a member) union has not been "negotiating" in the crewforces best interest. And while it may be hard to accomplish under the bylaws of this union, we can change who represents us and have them negotiate what we really want and need. I haven't seen ANYTHING in all your ramblings that provides specific solutions to YOUR misgivings with the current system. So put up or don't bother us.

So First: I have never been a proponent of agency shop and don't worry, I'm not too embarrassed to say that I didn't get the idea from YOU. If it was a REAL agency shop all you non-members would be paying too.

Second: I don't think my view that you took your ball and went home is simplistic at all. Where is this place you took your ball and accomplished ANYTHING. As far as signing my name, you must have a very short memory (due to the illusion of grandeur) as we went through this one time before and I'll be happy to "help" you out again.

Third: I won't bring your family into this discussion (although it appears you are trying to impress us). However, you make NO sense in this paragraph. You say you were a unionist but then say ALPA isn't a union. I believe Continental was and is represented by ALPA. So what union were you in when you WERE a unionist?? Check your last sentence also as you're missing a word (I think you're telling us you've "paid" your dues. Not just lately).

Forth: I'm glad to hear you KNOW how all the other readers view my posts and I really don't care if you think I'm emotional or not. I can see you probably don't read all the post as the subject was about communication or lack thereof. Thank G*d I have you to enlighten me with your economic logic.
As it seems that you just want to grovel around in the gutter, as far as growing up, maybe you should just take a peak in the mirror. I think you'll just see someone acting like a child who has not gotten his own way and has take his "ball" and headed for home.

Finally, I can see once again you've bypassed my questions relating to your USAir article. As you never answered the direct questions about your post I can only draw the conclusion that you were not telling the truth. YOU are not accountable and have no credibility. Please don't respond to this post as I'm not going to rebut your BS. I'm SURE the majority of pilot on this board don't care what you write.

Fred Buesser Still not embarrasssed

rjlavender

Actually, this is kind of fun. You are way off base in virtually everything you have written. I am probably one of the few contributors to this board who actually does work in the outside world operating a relatively substantial business unrelated to pilot matters. I negotiate, market, and develop on a daily basis, and I have noted this on several articles. I am surprised you have not seen it.

Again, if you wish to read specific issues and solutions that I have put forth, read the article. It can easily be found and printed at:

http://www.foundationx.com/pilot/compete/

Please note that Albie has come around to some of the thinking that I have proposed, as have others. Frankly, I had to come around to it myself. It is not hard to understand. Virtually all creative thinking is coming from outside of the ALPA domain.

As I have stated in the past, to me you are a nameless "cardboard figure" whose writings set the stage for me to write to many people at once. You (along with some others) sound like you are very inexperienced in these matters, but the level of your comments do make a nice background against which I can make myself look more credible. I do not understand your fear in listening to outside ideas.

By the way, here is what one private messenger wrote to me:

"...I enjoy reading your posts and, whether right or wrong, consider them far more intellectual and mature than most others on this forum. Keep it up.
Regards"

and another,

"RJ,
I just wanted you to know your posts are much appreciated by many of us...it is nice to hear many of the facts about ALPA. I don't have anywhere near the experience you do, but was previously at an ALPA carrier and saw a lot of what you write about happen there. I mean, all one has to do is look at all carriers represented by ALPA and see what condition they're in, or where they are headed. Then, look at some of the carriers with their in-house union and how they are doing, and the difference is dramatic...It is sad to see what is happening at FDX because of ALPA. Maybe it is clearer from the outside?"

It might surprise you to know that there are a lot of people on the "outside" who clearly see what is going on, but I assure you that there a lot on the inside too. It is time to get with it and do something new.

If you have specific questions about ideas in the article, I will be happy to answer them.

Bob