If they don't care about what kind of lanyard, why aren't management and Flex pilots allowed to wear the ALPA lanyard?

Yeah there are wolves running around in sheep's clothing (ALPA lanyard). They want to look like us. You can figure them out if you try and they look sad trying to fit in after you figure it out. Why do they try to fit in? That's the question you need to answer.

Something tells me you like to wear your Ole Miss lanyard and give this speech to everyone who asks you about your lanyard.

Gotta start somewhere hoss. No one ever said it was the end all. If you took it as such you have an axe to grind.

 

No axe to grind. But as I said previously, this is not a start to anything. We’ve been wearing these lanyards for a decade. My opinion is that they give a false sense of unity. I don’t care one way or the other about who is and who isn’t wearing them. I do care about who is and who isn’t flying DP’s. And, yes, I have flown with plenty of one ways who proudly wear their lanyard. And yes, I have been verbally attacked because I didn’t have my lanyard on during a trip. I asked this obnoxious FO what he was doing about those pilots still flying DP’s. I received the usual "deer in the headlights" look. But he was oh so adamant that I was somehow disloyal because I had a different lanyard on.

Alice in Wonderland type lunacy!

 

Lanyards and pins aside, I think there are some other big issues that need to be addressed in the very near future. Although PBS, vacations, work rules, and pay rates are all very important issues, they are only half of the big picture and will impact you only while you are working. Just as you plan on flying for at least 25 years, you need to plan on at least a 25 year retirement.
The first big concern is healthcare. When you turn 65 you have two choices: MediCare with the ALPA reimbursed Supplement or private insurance (if you can get it) at a huge premium. While you are working you have access to fairly good insurance at a reasonable cost. Maybe we need to look at some way to carry that insurance into retirement. I know I am not comfortable with some politician dealing with the future of my healthcare.
The next area is the pension. We need to look at a lump sum option for our pension. Currently, there is no cost of living adjustment for your pension. Take a look at a $10K per month pension after 25 years of 2% inflation (and right about now, 2% for 25 years looks pretty good). With a lump sum option, you could take control of your funds and manage them to keep ahead of inflation. If you are not comfortable doing this, then take the fixed sum. Also, at some point the $260K cap on pensionable earnings needs to be addressed.
I know these are not the hot button issues of the day for the active crew force but we all are working or have worked for a secure, stress free retirement. Think about the whole package when you talk to your negotiating folks.

 

I and numerous Flexs wear our ALPA lanyard every event.

 

Like it or not, if you're not wearing a union lanyard, somebody in the room thinks you're a douche.....

 

Finally a logical argument for wearing a lanyard. But I am not sure a lanyard is 100% douche insurance.

Of course that does back up the point:

No Lanyard = Douche

Lanyard wearing DP flyer = No Douche

 

Can't we all just get along...and work towards a good contract?


I guess not.

 

Soft Kitty.
Warm Kitty.
Little ball of fur.
Happy Kitty.
Sleepy Kitty.
Purr. Purr. Purr.

Don't know if that helped calm everybody down or not...I just like the song.

I usually like to spew my thoughts on APC, but think I'm going with a different approach this time around.

The less the company knows about my thoughts, the harder it is for "them" to find something that will separate me from the rest of the herd. I might not like everything that finally comes across the table, but only my fellow pilots, union leadership and NC need to know this. Nobody else.

Stay informed.
Communicate with your block rep and NC.
Demonstrate your unity...don't just talk about it.

My Negotiating Committee Speaks for Me!

 

Where did you come up with this one? I see more ALPA lanyards than not on Flex's and several red P2P.

 

Good work. Glad to hear it.