Intent is only important if you argue it. ALPA refuses to argue intent. Again, ALPA refuses to even argue intent.

Carl

 

Exactly. And forgive me if I don't completely trust the MEC's cliff notes version of the attorney's opinion. I'd like to see exactly HOW the attorneys reached the conclusion that RAH does not meet the definition of an air carrier. Come on, DALPA, show us all the details. You think we need to see great detail about the economics of our industry and our company. Let's see the same level of detail about RAH and how it relates to our scope clause.

On another note. I had a dream last night. I dreamed that I sent input to my reps months ago. That input revolved around my desire for pay restoration. I provided the reps with the same details I have previously provided here showing exactly what it would take mathematically to restore our buying power to C2K, 1986 levels for example, and what it would take mathematically to bring the pay for our domestic narrowbody pilots to equal Southwest Airlines domestic narrowbody pilots. Just factual stuff like that to give input showing where my expectations are. I wanted to know where my reps stand on this and I specifically asked for a response.

After several months of no response. I decided to email my reps and ask them why they had not responded. I received an email response back from one of my reps simply stating that they had designated another non-voting rep to respond to emails. This response still did not include any information about where my reps stand on the specific input I sent them.

After another email exchange where I asserted that this is unacceptable and that I expect my reps to be more responsive to my input, I got an email worded something like this:

"Part of the representational system we have at ALPA is to listen to all the pilots inputs and make decisions on what we hear the majority telling us. I do talk to a lot of our pilots and I agree we all would like our "profession restored and our careers back on track". The only difference is in what our "expectations" may be. Your view of "expectations" is not what I hear the majority telling me. If you want to lead that charge and create your level of "expectations" to the majority of the 12000 plus pilots we represent, we welcome the input."

Wow! What a dream... err, I mean.... nightmare! So what would you folks think if something like that happened for real?

 

Do you not see the conflict in what I've bolded above? How could CAL getting a sizable raise affect whether AMR could continue to operate if they increased their costs? This is the problem you face when you buy into management's point of view on this. They can ALWAYS make themselves LOOK weak every time contract renewal rolls around.

I've never said pattern bargaining is a horrible idea. It's a great idea. Our problem is that ALPA/DALPA/management is trying to tell us that we can't expect to pattern against SWA, because they're not our "peers". Or, "they are a totally different type of operation." Or....blah, blah, blah.

It's not frustration acl, it's disgust at what our union has become. It has become nothing more than the communication's arm of management. Nothing more.

Carl

 

Sorry silly delta pilot.

You do not get to understand the inner workings and thought processes of ALPA or their lawyers.

Your only required reading is how fuel hedging is tough, how squeezing a nickel out of our passengers is tough, and how our peer airlines are really evergreen, kalitta, and north american.

Your expectations will be managed or you might just have to get electro shock therapy.

 

Shiznit,
I'm normally with ya, but I'm starting to look at this differently. While I don't want my dues money wasted anymore than the next guy, and I agree that USAPA is taking way too many poor stands, I think sometime you just have to take on a bully knowing full well you'll get your a$$ kicked. There are a couple good poker analogies here too, but I digress.

Is this a place to make our scope stand? I think so, because it will send the message we're serious later on. I think we blinked with Compass (fNWA) and now they are back for more lunch money.

JMHO,
Ferd <-------6'2 - 125 pound bully magnet as a freshman in high school. Thank gawd I was fast

 

You are correct sir. That is not a misprint.

But you must understand that we Delta pilots cannot compare ourselves to Qantas pilots. They are not our peers.

Carl

 

I don't think we'd lose Ferd, that's what really makes me sick. ALPA doesn't want to take this to a fact-finding venue. They'd rather surrender. And as we all know, every surrender only invites new demands.

Carl

 

No, they get to spend 200plus days a year in our most senior layover country surrounded by sheilas.

 

Oh yeah...I forgot about those sheilas:






Carl

 

And......of course winning is even better!!

Yes, I'm familiar with lunch money demands

I say at least try........

Ferd