edited, repetitive

No, I have not, I stated that I could use the laws, and ALPA merger policy to get better than a staple. If I supported that actually happening, I would support ALPA. Because of that fact, I see ALPA as the barrier to real restoration of the profession. Look at USair, those guys were willing to flush their careers down the toilet to get out of the Nicolau award. I understand them completely, and why they did what they did. IF management ever decided to merge you guys with a regional(yeah right), ALPA would do everything in its power to prevent it from happening. Why, because ALPA would be out the door the second Delta pilot's seniority is threatened.

You see, I don't care about the money aspect of this career. I care about leaving this profession better than when I found it.

OK, if so, I've misunderstood your evaluation of merger policy as "support."

I agree ALPA merger policy, in as much as it drifted away from status quo, has become unpredictable and more likely to award windfalls to stagnant, or shrinking airlines at the expense of those who have grown.

But, how would the DPA leave the industry better?

By leaving.

It wouldn't, but it would lay the foundation for a union that represented only Delta pilots. You see, that is the key, a union can only represent its own people. ALPA could work, but it would need a national ALPA seniority list.

From what I have observed, it would be easier to go it alone, and bring back the flying to Delta, then it would be to form a national list. Even if ALPA could get a national list going, the union would come apart at the seams before it could ever get an SLI off the ground.

Wait, are we supposed to edit out repetitive posts now?

A national list is a non-starter, Mesabah. ALPA is a mixed bag in my opinion. Not a total disaster as some assert, and not the end all be all as others claim. What it does offer that DPA cannot is access through its PAC. I, like others, plug my nose at donating, but without a political voice we are just a bunch of guys waving our hands around angrily. The biggest threat to our careers is no longer regional outsourcing but cabotage. The foreign carriers have deep pockets and lots of friends purchased, so we'd best be engaged or we will all be left wondering why we were one day debating ALPA vs. DPA and the RJ issue, and the next day Norwegian was flying 787s from Orlando to Atlanta.

Of course it is a non starter, the problem is entitlement. That which is a gift, over time turns into entitlement. This is what would have happened with Compass, the pilots at CZ were on board with the staple, but Moak knew it wouldn't be long before that changed. That's probably why he cut them loose.

The people in congress who support us, support us because they are pro labor candidates, our PAC is simply a way for them to get information easier. However, a big three labor group like Delta would have the same influence with or without ALPA. I know for a fact the pro labor Michigan candidates support equally ALPA, and the union at my company that has a dozen or so members.

Can someone tell me why I have Davis Vision? All I did last year was get my eyes checked and fitted for contacts. With my insurance payment every two weeks, my co payment on the check up and some other fee I can't figure out I am paying MORE than the non insurance pay cash price is! What did I do wrong?

You paid for Davis Vision. They are the biggest rip off ever. If you wear contacts you can almost break even with the crooks. If you wear glasses they are an absolute joke. Ditch them and pay cash.