hitimefurl

Another DPA fallacy, but only because the labor laws keep changing. A vote would be an interesting dilemma for both sides. The DPA has been openly and publicly announcing how much money will be available. The RLA and NMB does not handle representation disputes well. Current rules say that the vote will be for:

1. ALPA
2. DPA
3. Write-in "APC Union"
4. No union

The irony of the DPA yelling about the money is that if they drop cards any union can show up and don't think for a minute that the Teamsters won't show up for some money. I'm not saying the IBT is in it just for money, but they aren't member run and with unions dying, I don't see how they couldn't.

Now, the real interesting part is that the DPA die-hards I've flown with want no union, no dues and no one involved with their life. This isn't an either or vote it's a possible catastrophe. Best case is USAPA. Best case is USAPA, really? They walked away with money and basically kept the same structure. They just cut ALPA off. The DPA wants to clean house and start from scratch with a brand new union structure and new volunteers.

It's also expensive. The DPA has already said that it's going to be "ALPA's money" used to "fight" the DPA. It's not. It's going to be the Delta MEC's money which is our own money in talking with the C66 reps. They said this money would have started to come back to us on a regular basis like the first money they gave back. They said the Alaska pilots regularly give dues money back. We had just started. They also said that it's going to cost the DPA the entire million they just got to do a representation drive. If they lose how do they pay that back? What happens if the IBT moves in? What if no union wins?

This isn't just a vote or get off the pot it's a lingering headache from the merger that just needs to go away so we can all win. C2012 wasn't a home run but when you look at the sudden conclusion to other airline contracts. We really helped a lot of other pilots come up including the APA/USAPA guys if it goes through. We'll all be back to negotiating of the Delta Dot next time with airlines making money unless we all need gas masks soon...

forgot to bid

I'm sure they will... if the ncaa doesn't get him first.

index

I see your point. Let me rephrase.

The worst thing that can happen is for ALPA to keep its head buried in the sand, pretend like they are performing flawlessly, and continue to let the representation controversy brew.

Remember the F/A representation election that was voted down? Have you heard a peep out the F/A union since then? I haven't. Why not get this behind us one way or another and move on?

When I said to send in your card, call for a vote, and let the membership vote "no," what I really should've said was let the membership chose to retain ALPA as their bargaining agent---or not.

Purple Drank

There you have it. ALPA will be using our money to keep its gravy train rolling.

So, hitime, how much of our money do you think ALPA will be using to wage its propaganda campaign?

tsquare

Probably as much as it takes to discount the lies from the doughnut crowd. So in essence, it is your sorority that is causing them to spend your dues money.

Good job!

hitimefurl

I think we are saying the same thing. I don't think even the most die hard ALPA volunteer thinks they are flawless. Maybe one or two but I think there's a fine line between ALPA saying we didn't get everything you asked for and we failed you. The DPA is just saying FAIL. To some that's true but in the grand scheme of things I could never imagine having this conversation when we were in bankruptcy. Who know Delta would be #1?

I think being humble would be good, but the DPA isn't allowing ALPA to do that because all they do is blame. Id' like to blame my wife and kids for not having enough money but that's not going to work either. I don't know if you've seen them but the IAM is organizing the FAs right now. They have cute little bag tags that saw I AM DTW with the IAM slightly spaced out.

The way for pilots to "chose" ALPA is to stand up and support your reps and stay involved. I went to a training pub on Virginia Ave and I really felt included and not talked down to or my words dismissed. They listened and answered candidly. I even went over to see the office after my sim. It's pretty impressive. I don't know why they don't show more of the "good" stuff they do. They jobs they save. The scheduling issues they win. Guys are getting 85 hours of inverse assignment pay in some cases. We never hear about these so called wins. It's cliche but I'm wearing my ALPA pin and I try to make sure to see my reps when they come in to the lounge and let them know I do support them. I don't want to do their job and they don't always vote the way I'd like but they do respond to me when I call and write no matter where they are in the world. I couldn't ask for better service when I do need it and I always hope I don't but sometimes I step on my own crank.

hitimefurl

Really? What propaganda campaign? It's either the truth or it isn't. Tim started this, it's up to him to decide when he's done. Caplinger emailed us that ALPA will have to spend the money. He's called them out. He's the reason any money would get spent at all. He's basically said it's ALPA's turn. Let's call this what it is. It's the Tim Caplinger Association (TCA) at this point. There's no operating structure or members or people in charge or anyone to blame when if it goes south or they don't meet their promises.

It's not ALPA's money. It's ours. It's the money you and I paid in. If I understand the reps correctly, it has to come out of our budget and not D.C. If Caplinger is hoping to cost D.C. money he's making a mistake. He's hurting the Delta pilot's budget not D.C. and that's an issue for me. I feel sliglhtly less bad when he says ALPAs money like it's someone elses money, but it ****es me off when it's actually mine. I'm a south guy and my refund check was pretty good. I'd like to see more. I think after three years and a complete contract cycle and vote that it's time to stop the division for the sake of assigning blame.

Life sucks. I get it. ALPA didn't make my life suck. We're on our 3rd or 4th MEC chairman since the merger and the reps change often. It's the individuals doing the work and not the mean evil emperor pulling the strings from on high. Some of these Moakian fears are just deluded. I see nothing in reading the DPA constitution and actual documents on how they are going to run the show that are any different than today. Most seem worse. Higher dues and paying more FPL isn't what I asked for. Am i really to believe that the electronic poll said pay the reps more FPL when every single thing on the DPA website says they are paid too much?

This needs to end so we can go back to talking about planes and underboob or for the AF lanyard guys...how great we are

GunshipGuy

Were you this upset about $30k+ oil paintings, six figure salaries for secretaries, humungous housing allowances for the king-boss, expensive meeting sites, and picking up the booze tab for your volunteers and reps?

shiznit

So yes, I have problems with things I've seen, but it is easier than you think to fix problems.. Your reps and the reps at other ALPA airlines are rational people and more than likely see solutions in a similar way to everyone else.

Why burn a house down without insurance because you don't like the dining room chair? Just replace the chairs!

johnso29

I HIGHLY recommend the Clarity Aloft headset.