Originally Posted by Sink r8 (Post 893569)

I thought the point was to help define options we have, and options we don't have. You can choose to refuse the scan, and I suppose you can also choose to refuse the pat-down, but then you're making choices about your careers that you may not want to be making. It would be irresponsible for ALPA to suggest individual actions other than professional behavior.

Now, I do agree with you that ALPA should promote a more assertive stance in general about the manner in which we are screened. But when there are transitions going on in the technology, and the methods, and maybe the threats, it seems like it's good advice to tell people not to go solo.

I also agree with CVG about the implications of the constant radiation exposure. I think there are a number of basic areas that touch our health and safety, where we have been far too compliant. I think it is time the union goes back to basics, and for the various committees to move out of the shell-shocked stage we've been in from 9/11, through the bankruptcy. They are making far too many assumptions about what the company would be "willing to do", and not enough about what we need to will them to do. I'd like to see more resistance to the dumbing-down of our training, for example, and more focus on long-term health. I am absolutely sick of hearing about minute costs being an obstacle to a healthy life. Abolishing the 50-lbs flight kit is a good start.

Keep in mind, however, that I'm also presuming pilots would be interested enough to put in resolutions to that effect, and participate actively in the process to steer the discussion. But since my reps' phones aren't ringing much unless someone's in trouble, and since only 1/12th of us finds it important to participate in surveys, and since few ever vote for reps in the first place, I guess they could assume most everyone is happy the way things are.

Originally Posted by Dexter (Post 893875)

If you're really worried about your exposure:
GE Energy - Radiation Monitors

FWIW in my previous life radiation monitors were required to worn every day, all day while in the lab(X-ray crystallography, SEMs). The monitors were sent in for analyzing at the end of each month with the employee receiving a print out of their exposure levels.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 893737)

Does it really matter? Our hands are on the yoke/stick. Checking pilots is pointless other than ID verification.

Originally Posted by Delta1067 (Post 893894)

It does totally matter. Any pilot can go thru a security check point whenever and where ever he or she wants. An infiltrator could get thru security and then do who knows what. Anyone can get a bogus uniform and ID. Let the TSA do their jobs.

Originally Posted by Delta1067 (Post 893894)

It does totally matter. Any pilot can go thru a security check point whenever and where ever he or she wants. An infiltrator could get thru security and then do who knows what. Anyone can get a bogus uniform and ID. Let the TSA do their jobs.

Originally Posted by Dexter (Post 893875)

If you're really worried about your exposure:
GE Energy - Radiation Monitors

FWIW in my previous life radiation monitors were required to worn every day, all day while in the lab(X-ray crystallography, SEMs). The monitors were sent in for analyzing at the end of each month with the employee receiving a print out of their exposure levels.

Originally Posted by Sink r8 (Post 893569)

I thought the point was to help define options we have, and options we don't have. You can choose to refuse the scan, and I suppose you can also choose to refuse the pat-down, but then you're making choices about your careers that you may not want to be making. It would be irresponsible for ALPA to suggest individual actions other than professional behavior.

Now, I do agree with you that ALPA should promote a more assertive stance in general about the manner in which we are screened. But when there are transitions going on in the technology, and the methods, and maybe the threats, it seems like it's good advice to tell people not to go solo.

I also agree with CVG about the implications of the constant radiation exposure. I think there are a number of basic areas that touch our health and safety, where we have been far too compliant. I think it is time the union goes back to basics, and for the various committees to move out of the shell-shocked stage we've been in from 9/11, through the bankruptcy. They are making far too many assumptions about what the company would be "willing to do", and not enough about what we need to will them to do. I'd like to see more resistance to the dumbing-down of our training, for example, and more focus on long-term health. I am absolutely sick of hearing about minute costs being an obstacle to a healthy life. Abolishing the 50-lbs flight kit is a good start.

Keep in mind, however, that I'm also presuming pilots would be interested enough to put in resolutions to that effect, and participate actively in the process to steer the discussion. But since my reps' phones aren't ringing much unless someone's in trouble, and since only 1/12th of us finds it important to participate in surveys, and since few ever vote for reps in the first place, I guess they could assume most everyone is happy the way things are.

Originally Posted by Delta1067 (Post 893894)

It does totally matter. Any pilot can go thru a security check point whenever and where ever he or she wants. An infiltrator could get thru security and then do who knows what. Anyone can get a bogus uniform and ID. Let the TSA do their jobs.