Looks like ALPA was doing their work yet again in the background before they came out with rhetoric. Now that they have laid the ground work, and built a consensus among the ALPA member airlines, they are now addressing what they have been doing about it, and where it will go from here.

 

Public letter on the ALPA main pages so it appears to be fair game here.

 

Yeah I wasn't sure yet so I didn't want to post it. If it's on the alpa page then I agree, it's public

 

Thanks for posting ACL and thanks for the PM Super. It just showed up in my email. Thanks again.

 

"Let me be clear about the problem that has prevented CrewPASS from becoming a nationwide reality: it is simply who pays for the service. Your companies have so far refused to pay the very minimal annual costs (approximately $50 per pilot) to make this a reality, and there is no government funding for this program. Yet today, as many of you have recently experienced, we are facing a more distinct and urgent need for CrewPASS than ever before."

Hell, if that is all that is holding up crew pass, I'll foot the $50 and deduct it as a business expense. Then we can ask to be reimbursed in our next contract. I have used crew pass in BWI and it saves $50 worth of BS!

 

Amen to that!!!

 

Will you also foot the bill for the flight attendants and non union pilots and pilots at other airlines? The cost of 50 dollars is based on all aircrew nationwide opting into the program. I don't want ALPA paying for flight attendants. This program can and should be paid for by each airline for all crewmembers.

 

No they can pay their own $50 or OPT OUT! I understand what you are saying, but I want to get crew pass up and running. Not at just the three airports in the test program. I already know your next question, what are we willing to give up, I don't know maybe scope.....

Just kidding.

 

I agree with that but is it really $50 per crew member? For one TSA employee sitting in front of a laptop? How much does that frikkin laptop cost?

 

ALPA put out a response back on I believe the 22nd of Oct. It was a measured response while ALPA worked in DC with Congress, FAA and TSA to sort out this mess. When you are trying to talk to people and provide realistic solutions you don't first punch them in the face. So far all any other unions have done is vent a bunch of hot air. They have accomplished exactly nothing. ALPA has been working hard to effect a real change. They came up with Crew Pass and have been trying to get everyone onboard with the program. Crew Pass has passed all tests and TSA has finally agreed it is acceptable. The issue is funding. TSA wants Crewpass if it goes online to be utilized by all pilots and flight attendants. That is the only way it makes sense and keeps the cost to around 50 dollars a year per crewmember. ALPA contrary to some posts here can't foot the bill for every pilot and flight attendant in the country. Management at the airlines has to be convinced to pay for the program. That effort is ongoing as we speak. It is looking more like a possible reality in the near future. Lets hope they succeed. It would really help if the other unions would get onboard with real financial backing but so far they just give off hot air.