See my post above. Also, stop being so worried about the left-right thing. It doesn't exist in regard to where ALPA PAC money goes.

ALPA PAC is supporting you and your profession. Period. By not supporting, or worse - attacking ALPA PAC - you are as bad a threat to our profession as any external threat. Good job.

I'm not trying to be mean-spirited here but when someone is being obtuse and self-destructive I have to point it out.

Nada, zippo, none.........

This is not the first time we have been accused of leading the industry in sick leave usage. I think it was around 2000 or so and we got a memo from Charlie Tut (I think?) titled "Plain talk on sick leave" or something similiar. At that time, we were supposedly 9 percent over the other majors. I don't remember exactly what metric they were using. I remember the numbers were disputable.

It would take too long to convert them into 1011's......

Great post. Bolded are all reasons that I just upped my PAC contribution again - I view it as cheap career insurance.

The threats listed above are very real and they are absolutely going to have a negative impact on our industry if they go unchallenged. I have seen it work firsthand, and all the BS about secretly funding the far left is an attempt to undermine our ability to combat these threats. I can't for the life of me figure out why PD and Carl are ACTIVELY pushing against it - yet another anti-ALPA at any cost crusade I guess??

I'd argue that PAC contributions are more valuable than the dues we pay. The threat is serious and it's coming hard for your job right now. If you're concerned about the Gulf Carriers, NAI, cabotage, etc and aren't donating to the PAC, consider clicking the link below and giving $5/paycheck. If you're not concerned about these threats, you should be. PM me if you want and I will talk to anyone that will listen why we can't ignore this.

Take 30 seconds and sign up now. Give $5 a check - seriously it's a cup of coffee:

https://www.alpa.org/AlpaLogin/tabid...2fDefault.aspx

Here's a question for ALPA PAC supporters who say don't think about the actual politicians who get PAC money, think about the fact that they're said to be pro-labor, and therefore pro-pilot. Is the argument that no matter how much we may personally disagree with the politicians' positions on all other matters, we should be OK with that to the point that we put all those other concerns out of our mind because we're told they're the politicians who are supposedly more likely to be in our corner? So hypothetical: What if the pro-labor, pro-pilot politician was a communist? Is that something you as an ALPA PAC contributor are willing to accept because you think concerns about your individual job override all other issues facing our country?

Aren't all labor supporters communist to a degree?

Hey man, it takes a village.

That's exactly what I thought. It ****ed me off, BUT the company's data is damning and hard to refute. It looks at it from every angle and there isn't any cracks in the conclusion that I can identify.

My conclusion: Sick leave abuse is alive, well, and increasing. I used to be adamantly opposed to the current policy. Now, I at least understand why our insulting, sucky policy exists. Thank the guy who is calling sick when he's not sick 12+ times a year.

^^^This is a good example of the biggest reason (excuse???) I hear guys give as to why they won't support the PAC. I have to believe it too, because I can't believe there are any Delts pilots out there that can't afford to shell out a cup of coffee twice a month - especially when 1/2 of all Mesa pilots contribute to the PAC, and we all know how underpaid they are...

Back to GG's point...I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice their personal beliefs/politics. I'm certainly not willing to do so. However, it's naive (not direct at GG) to believe than ANY politician is aligned with all of one's principles. Once you can accept that, it becomes a matter of recognizing that it takes money (and the threat of not being re-elected) to have any influence in DC. That is where the term pilot partisan comes in - Carl's conspiracy theory notwithstanding.

The PAC's entire purpose is to provide us with a voice. No voice = the opposing viewpoint goes uncontested. Like it or not, we sometimes/frequently have to engage with politicians that we may personally disagree with, yet that wield enormous power over issues that will directly affect our industry/careers.

They WILL sell us out if we don't lobby for our interests.

When I donate to the PAC I do so to support the Government Affairs pilots that are lobbying on my behalf. I am not doing so to support the "far left" or the "communists." I'm merely purchasing access. Whether you like that or not, it is the way the game is played. I still have a (hopefully) long career ahead, and can't sit idly by and watch our own government sell away our industry/careers.

If you're under 55, your career will be negatively affected by politicians that will sell your job if we don't constantly push back. $5 a month does not make you a communist :D

The link again, since we're on a new page:

https://www.alpa.org/AlpaLogin/tabid...2fDefault.aspx

But back to the hypothetical. If the PAC supported a communist, would you donate knowing you're efforts supported that candidate/incumbent?

If not, then that's your limit and a line you won't cross. For me, it's not as flexible. If you're still willing to donate even if they support a communist then your principals are different from mine and I just can't bring myself to understanding yours, and you not understanding mine.