Wasn't the guy that did the parking lot deal a Marine?

 

Sure was/is.
fbh

 

You think we're trying to intimidate you? kinda sensitive aren't you?

Ooh rah....Now IS the time to get some, not to reminisce.

I know plenty of Marines wearing the ALPA lanyard and volunteering in the union. Wearing the ALPA lanyard is 'bout getting the job done! That is right up their alley.

BTW, the only thing that's funny here is your belief that what we say and do is not monitored and important to management.

 

Between my dad and me, we've been ALPA members for 46 years.

It's a way if life too. And there's honor there, or at least there used to be.

 

+1..........

 

Lids against Pibs

 

My post may not have been funny, but your post is hilarious! Seriously. Good stuff, and yes, I'm sensitive. I cried when they carried Rudy onto the field at Notre Dame , and so when a jumpseat-holding captain attempts to make his point about lanyards (intimidation not by instilling fear but by position of authority), yes, I'm sensitive about that situation as well. Not intimidated, but not blind, either.

And it's funny to suggest that wearing the ALPA lanyard is about getting the job done. I mean, these are gems that you're giving us here. I can't stop laughing.

While I agree that management is watching us, it certainly isn't to tally those of us wearing ALPA hats or lanyards. They are watching us pick up disputed pairings, sell our leverage for three percent, and trip over our kids when the phone rings for draft.

So believe in the rabbit's foot if you will; however, don't think for one moment that when and if the time comes for real participation (aside from monthly dues) that lanyards are going to make a hill of beans difference one way or the other.

XOXO,
Anthrax

 

2000 + hours in fighters, combat on the ground during Desert Storm...

I won't wear anything BUT an ALPA lanyard. I didn't wear my FedEx stuff into my squadron when I flew in the ANG, but guys there knew I was proud of being an airline pilot. I don't wear military stuff into FedEx, not because I am not proud of what I did, but because I respect the profession and the work many did before me to get us where we are today in the industry. Fred Smith may have built FedEx, but the contracts we have--modeled after contracts at other airlines--came from years of effort, collective resolve, and sacrifice. I respected the culture of my service, and was proud of it. I certainly respect the culture of the US Marine Corp, and think the whole Quantico indoc process creates a damn good officer.

But like Huck--I know trip rig, duty rig, per diem, TCAS, GPWS, and a host of everything things we take for granted all came because somebody else helped bring them to us. ALPA has done a lot of us individually and collectively.

Wasn't it Patton who famously railed on troops for improper minor uniform infractions? "If I cannot get them to wear the right socks, how can I expect them to die for their country?" I feel the same way at FedEx. How can I trust you to have my back when the chips are down, when I cannot even get you to wear your lanyard?

Its your call. I'll never try to "intimidate" anyone. But if the University of XXX or flashing your old service is more important to you than showing a little unity, noted. I can't fix that. But I know what I will be wearing...

 

I thought Patton wanted other dumb bastards to die for their country?

And while I understand and appreciate your argument, we differ when it comes to the heart of the issue, which is whether or not a man can be trusted simply by something as arbitrary as a lanyard. Or whether unity is to be derived from such a litmus test. If only it were that simple, and therefore it seems unreasonable to reduce the essence of our collectivity to an item that we use to hold our company credentials.

Truth is, if there ever comes a time, God forbid, when the chips are truly down, I believe that many would act in accordance with our union directives, but that many, far too many, would not, lanyards be damned. That's all that really matters, a situation that hopefully we will never have to face.

In the end, this lanyard stuff is nothing but fluff. That it bothers people so dearly is something that I will never for the life of me understand.

Again, while I do appreciate your argument, we just differ at the heart!

 

You know guys who fly disputed parings, work extra when others are trying to hold the line etc are doing it for personal gain. " Not that I approve!" I simply do not understand why anyone cannot simply wear the lanyard when asked by the union it is not like it cost you anything!!!!