At first glance, looks like a good bid. Captain goes down to 8268, lots of very junior guys getting 7ERB. Maybe temporary, but looks like I get a 4+% bump in ATL. Whoop!

 

There were supposed to be 10 7ERB vacancies in SEA, and 3 7ERB bid off, but they only filled 5 positions?
Is everything they publish in light pencil? Too cynical?

Congrats new Captains!

 

I think they probably had some network tweak after the bid was put out. If you look at all the non-SEA -er training, I think you will come to the conclusion that they have their hands full. My guess is they will get SEA next bid and, in the mean time, cover the flying out of LA, SLC and of course ATL...

 

Actually there were more awards then that when you count the 8 reinstatements.

 

You are correct. Thanks.
I need to read the whole doc. Better news, and yes too cynical.

 

So finally, the truth comes out...you are a union insider!
Thank you for your service.

On a macro level, I have to ask, what exactly did tens of thousands of FPL dollars produce? What is the return on our dues money investment? What do we have to show for it?

There was nothing "bottom up" about that campaign. Moak demanded it, and DALPA saluted smartly and dumped our dues money down the ****ter.

 

From what I observed during my layover, the pilots that spent time talking with the P2P guys in the lobby came away with a greater awareness of the issues and what their representatives are doing on their behalf. Overall, a positive impression was left with most.

 

What you're asking is unprovable. The benefits of a connected, educated, empowered pilot group are intangible. That doesn't mean they aren't real and extremely important.

What you did get for your dues dollars was a massive information campaign that sought to get out ahead of FAR 117 among many other issues. To my knowledge we are the only pilot group that made such an extensive effort to educate on the new rules prior to January 1st. And to head off your next point, yes a large portion of the hotel op was in response to 3-4 years of BS from the DPA which I think most of us are finally coming to see for what it was/is. However, your democratically elected MEC reps were the ones that decided to authorize the action, so again if you think something is awry you have the ability to hold them accountable.

The pilots staked out in the lobbies were also available to answer a multitude of non-FAR 117 questions, take feedback and generally be available to let guys "be heard." This information, believe it or not, was collated and passed back to the MEC for review/action. Some of this "temperature of the pilot group" stuff will undoubtedly be the beginnings of the MEC's decisions wrt C2015.

The feedback that comes through almost every channel is always overwhelmingly that pilots want more access to their union, more face-to-face contact, more opportunities to provide feedback, etc. The vast majority of pilots that we came in contact with at the layover hotels, were either positive on the idea or at least pleasantly neutral, thanking us for the effort and information. The loose cannons were in the severe minority.

You, Purple, are the perfect example of "can't please everybody, all the time." I'd rather us continue to make the effort, even if it sometimes is less than ideal, than to sit around hoping things will turn out for the best. If you feel strongly that DALPA's efforts are a waste, then you have plenty of mechanisms at your disposal to advocate change. Just remember, your voice is 1 of 11,620 (as of the latest list!) and just because the other 11,519 don't agree with you doesn't mean the system is broken.

 

I saw you're making a move. Congrats!

I thought about it, but couldn't stomach the thought of going to training AGAIN

 

So...it was a complete waste of money. We funded a PR drive at Moak's behest. Got it. How much did each minute of interaction with line pilots cost? A few hundred dollars?

I've got it. Let's double (triple?) dues, and spend it all on FPL for boondoggles such as that. Then even more of us can be left with that "positive impression."