You just don't get it do you.

 

Yeah, like that'll ever happen... but OK.. I'll write something up. I wasted a few hundred hours on a LGBP proposal, so why not this too...

 

It is not wasted time. It is my opinion that there is support to a modification to our current pay system. Also, have you sent that proposal to your new reps? If not I would.

I also "get" what you are getting at, but I am also telling you that, just because you "think/demand" it, does not mean the rest of your peers feel the same way. It takes a heck of a lot of work to get the changes you are seeking. Most do not want to put the work in, they just want others to do their bidding. That in effect is why we are where we are in our union. There is no "real" check and balance. For progress to happen, that needs to change.

 

The thing about replacing LEC reps is who do you replace them with. Most likely the guy you want replaced you never knew before but they did promise scope and pay, scope and pay, scope and pay. Now your options of people running are people you never knew before and they'll give you a letter that says scope and pay is their #1 priority. Then it just kind of disappears.

I have to agree with T, the union has a system in place that is impenetrable. Nobody is going to give up power and nobody is going to mess with the status quo and even if you do work within the system for change at the end of the day you're still ALPA.

I still can't understand that if we're smart enough to fly airliners and vote for the U.S. President why can't we directly vote for the MEC Chairman?

 

I have pretty much punted the idea of the LGBP proposal, so it is in a dead file around here somewhere. I was saying that I think there are too many barriers for that apple to be eaten all at once. Besides, with the looming parking of the 4 747s, it will be interesting to see how many guys take a haircut with the displacements.. I am warming up the Jiffypop for that. I think that maybe the WB/NB crowd has a more doable proposal anyway, and it would probably move us in a better direction.

You are probably right that many of my peers don't want the same things I do. The problem is that a lot of the fringe ideas out there never see the light of day, because of the strength of the union machinery to perpetuate the status quo as being the only way to do things. The "changes" I am "seeking" are one man's thoughts on how to get more pilots involved in the day to day process. It's very simple really, you have to make the meetings more accessible to the average guy, and continuing to have base meetings where the majority of guys are not physically located does nothing to promote this involvement. You can jump up and down and hold your breath all day and tell guys they need to get involved, but until you satisfy that ease of access, you are spitting in the wind.

But I am sure I am wrong....

 

You are not wrong, and I have been harping on accessibility since before I ran for the position. I would like to see meetings at the airport, not an airport hotel. I would like a web based meeting, where you can vote on a resolution via on line voting. Heck you could even do it via proxy, but there is a process to all of it to keep it above board. I agree we need to do better, and have to do better, but one or two guys, that bring up the issue twice a year is not going to get the issue solved. It takes a unified effort. It takes dealing with multiple issues at once and not focusing on the issue of the week and only that issue. It takes time, and work, and all of it will be without pay. It takes a group that believes in advocacy. Can we get there? Maybe, but unless we self motivate, the proverbial straw that gets everyone in line with you may be too great to take. By then the question will once again arise; "Does it matter?"

 

Whatever??!! Wall Street can suck it! I for one am going to relish on the nice profit we made. Think about it, airlines lose money; and the street loves it. Airlines make money; the street dumps them. "f" the street.

Btw, I have a feeling the doom and gloom is all about posturing and "setting" the pilots' expectations lower. WAKE UP, we made profit!!<--In this flimsy marketplace/economy.

TEN

 

What is the best computer (netbook, tablet) to take on the road that easily accesses Deltanet, Icrew, travelnet, PBS etc..I want simplicity and a keyboard, also light weight. Mainly just for that purpose. I've noticed the tablets have some keyboards now that are sold separately. Just curious what others are using?

 

My bet US air 330 operation to Europe!

 

I agree.