queue

This might surprise you, but I do pay my dues. This clearly isn't about me. I'm just critical of any monopoly of power that exerts unjust pressure on either employees or a peer group whom they claim to help. I'm not blindly on ALPA's side but I am always pro-pilot. I just don't think they need to be just as evil as the employer.

queue

It's fair game if you want to criticize me since you have no idea what I do since I don't advertise here, so it doesn't offend me in the slightest bit. But your formulaic criticism also doesn't convince me of your talking points.

However, I'm not a fan of a contract that terminates a pilot's employment because they don't pay dues. I don't like authoritarianism from either the company or another organization (a union). You're just replacing one evil with another. It's ironic that perhaps the strongest contract language is in terms of firing a pilot for not paying dues. Most other language in the contract is wishy-washy at best and has already proven to be exploitable by JB.



I'm not a fan on non-lanyard wearers but it's also not right to persecute them because they are still pilots. I'm sure even the worst of non-lanyard anti-ALPA pilots have still helped you some way or another, even if you have no idea they did. You have to always keep this notion in mind.



The argument of finding employment elsewhere is a tired old argument that doesn't leave room for people who actually want to improve things for pilots. Your solution is to always jump ship for perceived greener pastures? Why not straighten out your own house first? I think that's part of the reason you enjoy your captivity in the existing system that still largely benefits the corporation (e.g. Johanna's $300 profit sharing statement of love to you). Maybe instead of suggesting someone should leave, you should instead consider solving problems, lest you be part of the problem yourself.

queue

The difference is that they are a legally authorized entity. They deal with real money and they help shape and enforce legal constructs. That doesn't compare to an opinion board that has no authority whatsoever. It is vital to remain critical of those in power or else you will become their victims.

Bluedriver

Not buying it. If you are a dues paying member I find it very unlikely that you hold the opinion that pilots should pay dues only if the WANT to.

That scenario doesn't end well for pilots.

queue

Unlikely but not impossible, right? My viewpoints are far more complex than you'll gather from simple soundbites.



I'd like to know how this wouldn't end well for pilots? Is there a historical precedent or one of the many false truths people naively believe?

Bluedriver

Lots and lots of pilots who don't WANT to pay dues. That means less dues for the union to use on pilots behalf. Result is an underfunded and weak union.

benzoate

Q,

Please don’t misunderstand.

You are vocally critical yet provide no sugestions or solutions. There in lies my critique.

In my time at bluejet those refusing to pay dues have done NOTHING to further our jetblue careers, NOTHING. They have blindly supported JetBlue’s desire to oppress our careers and therefore I cannot support their desire to undermine our careers. The union is here, it was voted in, they WILL pay dues. Consequently, I voted NO for this POS contract so I must support it although I think it’s sheet.

My argument about finding alternative employement was also misunderstood. Criticize jetblue as much as you want but also do something about it. I fully support that. Hell, criticize all you want and don’t do sheet but you better pay your f’ing dues because that money goes to supporting those who put their time on the line for the membership.

PasserOGas

I'll play devils advocate here. I think we can all agree ALPAs performance has been lackluster at best. Slightly above negligent at worst. Whenever I attempt to use them as a resource I am disappointed. What if there was a way to punish them for this non performance? What if I only paid dues because they were actually worth it?

Std Deviation

I have no children and yet have to pay taxes to educate the offspring of others. It would be awesome if I could adjust my payments based on the quality of graduates from the local public school system. Pay for performance.

PasserOGas

I get that, but don't you think the union might care about results and cost/benefit a little more if dues were optional? Maybe fewer lobster dinners and chasing meaningless LSA reform and more focus on the stuff that we actually pay them for?