Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 1268039)

...and both pilots in the pinnacle 3701 (410 it dude) and MKE (no fatalities thankfully) accidents, as well as the FO on the comair Lexington accident.

Originally Posted by newKnow (Post 1268594)

64 is a great day, where I'm from. Shorts weather, even.

Originally Posted by newKnow (Post 1268594)

When are you going to break out the video tape that was taped secretly at his fundraiser? :D

Originally Posted by slowplay (Post 1268562)

I don't speak for anybody but this anonymous webboard pseudonym...

but I'm not worried.

Nu had it right 2 years ago. If DPA were serious and had the numbers they claimed to have had, they would have easily taken every LEC election conducted since they announced. That would be every single council after this election. They would easily have shaped ALPA to their view from within.

So far they've done nothing but type and hype...inaccurately.

Oh, and we should celebrate that portion of the democratic process. Majority rule with respect for minority rights...with decisions based on facts.

What we shouldn't celebrate is their fabrications, misrepresentation, and outright lies in their attempt. Chinese abortions, "doing good work on the forum" while talking about rape, 22D2 vs 22D3, 87% certain scientific polling, jumpseat denials, etc. all have come out in the last 3 months.

psst...while using at a cut rate price the same law firm that has been fired by SWAPA, APA and USAPA. One that has fed off pilots for decades.

That's your Oliver Stone movie.

Originally Posted by brakechatter (Post 1268596)

She is a remarkable woman, who is a direct descendant of Gen. Claire Chennault

Originally Posted by gloopy (Post 1268621)

Great post over all, but I had to chuckle from that little blue blood comment. Aside from the fact that (thankfully!) bloodlines don't mean $*!@ in this country apart from the country club circuit, you seem to be a knowledgeable, well balanced, articulate potential pilot for the job of rep. May the best pilot(s) win.

I think where some may have been going with the allegation of conflict of interest with your spouse has to do with her particular airline and its rabidly out of touch DOH fantasy pipe dream that persists to this day. While not likely merger partners now, if DL and US did get together, I'm sure we would all want rabid pro DL pilot advocates that would resist DOH demands from an ultra high longevity, ultra stagnant pilot group like that by all available means. It would be a rediculous way to try and do it even with massive fences.

Likewise some younger pilot groups out there very much on our merger radar would get an epic windfall from a relative integration. No one static way is right for all dynamic situations first of all, and I for one would expect staunch pro current DL pilot representation as the highest order over and above some generic theoretical model just for the sake of itself.

While I have no reason to believe you wouldn't be able to provide that level of fierce, pro DL pilot biased representation, I do believe that was the charge in that specific instance relative to your previous statements on the issue in general.

Originally Posted by brakechatter (Post 1268636)

..and I hope that shined through, resoundingly. The wife comments are just a perk on my behalf-since somebody else brought it up. I believe the phrase your searching for is "it's not relevant" :)

Originally Posted by brakechatter (Post 829625)

Heh, heh. Go bark up another tree. The answer is no.

Originally Posted by dragon (Post 1268608)

I think ALPA wants to maintain the same - ol, same -ol and any threat to that from outside, independent thinkers is a threat. Many of us have sent in DPA cards we now regret. I do know that ACL has always advocated change from within. I think it admirable, but too often I've seen folks try that only to be "assimilated".

Originally Posted by brakechatter (Post 1268596)

and this:




Greetings,

I thought you might like a response from the horse's mouth.

While I am not sure what "notorious, Boy Captain" means, I indeed was an Express captain at the age of 28. I'm not sure that makes me notorious, but to each his own. A few of us made captain in our 20s down there, undoubtedly as a direct result of the fact that it paid under 100/hr, and people could do much better financially in other categories. Indeed, I flew as flight engineer and as first officer and also was in the training department prior to bidding captain in MCO. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but my opinion is that is inaccurate; and that is not even addressing the fact that Delta is my 5th airline, I came here with 3,800 hours of first officer time--most of it on reserve at the regionals sitting right a furlough bubble or on furlough.

Had I remained on the MD88, I would have been number 401 in the category for November. That is line holder status--every weekend. Considering I was number 350 when I arrived on it in Atlanta, after a couple of years on it in New York, I would be ecstatic with stagnation. I personally call that regression, although you are entitled to label it as you wish. I don't expect any sympathy, but to simply say that I can't is inaccurate, IMO. Again, that is your opinion, and you are entitled to it; but I disagree with that opinion.

To say I supported DOH, and that scares you is a fair statement. At the time of the NWA merger, I indeed supported DOH--with a couple of caveats that you omitted: NWA and Delta were both ALPA carriers very similar in make-up, and I supported more comprehensive fence. I considered the fence much more important than the SLI at the time, and here we are today with the benefit of hindsight. Today, I still consider the lack of meaningful fences much more responsible for stagnation than the actual outcome of the SLI. My seniority prior to the merger faired much better then it does now sans meaningful fences. It is opinion, it is what it is, and I have moved on from it.

Let me be very clear that my personal opinion of 4 years ago makes absolutely NO bearing on my personal opinion now for 3 reasons:

1) Personal opinions change over the years due to age, accumulated knowledge, experience, and wisdom

2) Representatives, well, represent. That means that my opinions take a back seat to the opinions of my constituents--even if they do or do not conflict with mine

3) Representatives are not involved in seniority list integrations. that is the responsibility of the Merger Committee. We have a standing one as I type. It is they who independently conduct the process which determines the outcome of a seniority list integration.

As a Captain Representative, it is my belief, my desire, and my responsibility to gain the best contract, extract the most leverage, and gain the best deal for the pilots on our seniority list. I do not endorse DOH, or any other position than the one just described.

You were correct in that my wife flies for USAirways. She is a remarkable woman, who is a direct descendant of Gen. Claire Chennault, and manages to balance a career, be a mother, and have inner and outer beauty second no none, in my opinion. That being said, she has her airline, and I have mine. As Slowplay might say, it's not relevant.

I like what you guys are doing here. Debate is good. Participation is good. Exchanging of ideas is good. Scrutiny is good. I appreciate the opportunity to offer up my opinion. If you are in Council 44, you no doubt have received my letters. They all contain multiple ways to contact me. Feel free to do so at any time.