I don't disagree with the contract enforcement. I'm just saying pick your battles this ain't one of them. Schedules published, yes, ready reserve assignments, yes, many others, sure. But this is not the hill you die for.

 

Then how bout they pick a hill, because all the union does is retreat. Name the last time they stood up for something.

 

You got me there... Maybe y'all are right and this is the perfect time, the union can stand their ground. After all, five days between now and June just means a couple instructors work on the weekends. So this might be a good place to start.

It would be nice if this were a blip on the radar screen and the union had shown their teeth in other places. That this was a minor inconvience and the other issues had been resolved and represented properly.

 

I like how everyone refers to the MEC as the "union". WE are the "union". If you pay dues, you are part of the union. If THEY are retreating, YOU are retreating. Yes the "MEC" has no backbone. Why should they? We just stand there like a bunch of goons watching while they take the easy way out and get paid no matter what the outcome. Not many people personally confront anyone in the MEC to express their disgust.

A union at a regional airline is pointless because no one stands together. The group is way too divided where half is content and wants to retire from the company one day while the other wants to move on to somewhere else. Majors don't have that issue. Most of them have the same desire, to stay until retirement. So they hold the company to the contract as a whole.

Honestly at the regional level, paying a few attorneys to negotiate and write a contract would work fine. Being unified outside of that is pointless. I see a lot that just let the company violate the CBA and don't follow up. EVER. And some that hold a gun to their head for everything.

 

"We" are part of the union because we are forced to be. We dont have a choice (other than quit).

 

This is 100% incorrect. You do not have to join ALPA as a pilot for XJT. It's your choice........

And yes, you will still have to pay.


I love how guys complain about ALPA at the regional level never standing up for themselves and "holding the line". In this EXTREMELY cut-throat part of the industry if you hold the line or display a set of balls you will absolutely, no questions asked be Comaired. It's not debatable, it's a very unfortunate reality. There are too many regional pilots willing to take the flying to keep flying until their dream legacy calls.

I mean Jesus, look at Pinnacle. They voted 85% in favor of concessions. For those who bash them, lets see if you are willing to fall on your sword when your time comes. I guarantee you, you will not

 

Shocked that people are getting this worked up about 5 days. Don't sweat the small stuff.....

 

I dont think it's the 5 days that matters. Its the principal of the matter. You give them an inch and they will take 20 feet. It's human nature. Obviously this is an arbitrary number that has no real significance. But it was put in place and should have the same weight as your pay scale.

 

In contract enforcement, it needs to be zero tolerance all the time. Every issue you let go sets precedent, and when negotiations roll around next time, the company shows the arbitrator how many times they violated a section, and the mediator tells the union obviously it wasn't that important of an issue. Then we lose that section.

I've stood up to the union. Several times. Except no one bothered to stand behind me. The problem with "our' union isn't just apathy among the rank and file. The problem is that our "union" isn't a union, it's an association. ALPA is in the business of making money. They favor the groups that pay them the most, at our expense. Meanwhile, the senior management at the MEC level lives a quality of life they couldn't live as line pilots. they get hooked on that gravy train, not to mention rubbing elbows with big shots all day. They'll do anything to keep that position and stay in the game. That's where we are now. What we need is MEC officer term limits!

Thanks for that sage advice. Your "wisdom" is astounding. I'm sure it's from your decades of experience in the industry.

Exactly.

 

+1

******

Did anyone actually go through and count how many upgrades awarded on the prelim?