Why should any current ALPA rep/volunteer want to work for an organization whose entire premise was "you guys suck"?

Let me put it to you this way. What if the DPA becomes a reality, you become a rep or committee member of the DPA, then the Delta pilots throw out the DPA to return to ALPA a couple of years later (like the FedEx pilots did). Would you be itching to fill an ALPA or "transition" position?

I didn't think so.

I routinely fly JFK-BOG 2-pilot in the 73. If it's your first time going in, I recommend briefing the hell out of your escape routes, diverts, and alternates on the way down. Some of your BOG alternates will be in the backup bag, some you may have to dig around to ensure you have the latest updates.

Someone about 80 pages ago, as in the day before last, asked about where they'd sit if we took back the outsourced flying. Given that even a small movement of aircraft creates an enormous cascade of training and movement I just thought I'd make a simple chart.


It's simply the total pilots broken out by aircraft make and model and then by widebody or narrowbody types. And yes I added the 7ER and 767 together, there is no way to break that apart since anyone can fly any type it's just where you fly it that differs. So it's all one.

So then using the narrowbody ratio of 12.2 pilots I multiplied by the max number of 76 seaters we can have and that came out to 3,111. Then I used only the next gen 737s at Alaska (figuring they're in the lower 48) and multiplied our 737 ratio by that number.

And then I added back our total 12,232 number that includes NBCs and management and SLIs.

Just a thought, take it for what it's worth. A really speedy table that hasn't been proof checked. No time. Going out.

But, it happened to you mainly because our vacation sucks. You got 2 four day trips (lousy ones) paid, but it blocked out 14 days of your Sched making it impossible to create an alv line in remaining time. It has happened to me too. I cringe everytime I check new bids in a vacation month.

About time for a Fedex guy to post their vacation on here again so I can pass out again. Or even SWA.

FtB, that was me, and thanks very much for your work! It looks like we'd need to hire about 4000 pilots. That would move up most of our Capt upgrades by five years, I bet, not having crunched the numbers. Food for thought....

FlyZ

Actually, this is the first year that I've not gotten a line in a vacation month... it's my vacation from rsv each year as well. Usually it works out great, but it's needless to say that I was less than pleased when i saw the results.

......................

Its not a problem for me, and its not a black hole I hope for. I've never said I would not support a different organization to represent me. If there is a better option, I want to see it. DPA might just be the best answer to the issues that we face as Delta Pilots. There, I said it (and I mean it!).

The caveat to this is I've yet to see evidence of it. No proof that they have better ideas and solutions to the problems. You display to me in specifics (none of the bullet point crud that groups and politicians use to spin things to their viewpoint), propose C&BL changes, Policy Manual improvements, force the MEC to do a neutral party study on the possibility of converting to a seniority block system(which I like, but there are things that need to be considered, whole 'nother conversation though!), force a quarterly MEC Scope Report Card publication, etc.

I want to see the DPA ideas in print, in detail and attempted to be put into practice. If that makes it partway but gets "tabled/received" whatever at the MEC level, then now you have grounds for a recall and you've shown the pilots that this alternate bargaining agent option is a credible, serious and working NOW for Delta Pilots. Recall and then replace the SOB's who won't act to improve, get guys who will do the work to fix the problems!

If I saw things like that, I'd give real credence to the idea of a new bargaining agent, but there has been nothing to date that shows me that they are serious about improvement to how my union functions, just talk and vague promises.

While I don't completely agree, and there is a LOT of emotion built up in this fro some people, I think your assessment has some recent history to back it up. (On the flip side there is not very often recognition of the successes of ALPA from the DPA fans, but it's an adversarial relationship so there won't be much, if any recognition for any opposing viewpoint.)

I actually meant that in my first comment on the subject but it was not communicated well on my part.
As Nu wrote on a different thread: Once you try to take an extra penny out of a pilot's paycheck, all of a sudden they have a reaction...(paraphrased)

I posted this in regards to a retired Delta Captain on Monday the 11th. I am very sad to say I just found out that he passed away the day before. It's funny how life is. I'm thinking about part of my life from 20 years ago and poof, part of it is gone. He was a great man to a great family. I dated his daughter. One of his sons was a college roommate. Former Western, based in SEA and SLC, 737. Captain Ron, I will miss you. Enjoy your flight west sir.

Respectfully,

Hoserpilot:(