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

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.

 

Good article in AvWeek about fuel and fleet plans. Anderson is quoted as saying we have not altered our fleet plan for the lower cost of fuel. The article also refutes some of the wildely inaccurate estimates on fuel costs and yearly savings for Delta posted here. Our cost per gallon is going to come in at 2.45 to 2.50 a gallon in the first quarter. It was 2.62 4q last year.

 

I support the PAC. I re-thought my views (which mirrored GG's) when EAL went down. I looked at all the political shenanigans and Frank L's affiliations and donations and realized we have to have a political voice. We can't and won't win every battle, but with no voice we stand zero chance especially vs deep pocket "Foreign Invaders." IMO our political system is grossly distorted to benefit the massively wealthy (individuals and nations) which doesn't include us. As organized labor the right does view us as communist. They don't generally like us. We have to protect ourselves. The Brothers K aren't spending all that money to promote anything except their personal interests. The ME carriers aren't trying to do the world a service with aviation any more than they did with $147 oil. I have only a few years left: career nearly over. The young folks especially need to choose the lesser of two weevils and defend themselves thru the PAC and emails, calls, and letters to their governmental reps. JMO OFG

 

Let's take it to the extreme. If the legislator was a Muslim extremist but did everything he could for pilots, would the PAC contribute to him?