WatchThis!

Good post but I disagree with your views on ALPA nationals position on "the scab issue". For the president of the association to suggest that we should "get over it" and move on, while allowing scabs to become members in good standing sends this message:

It's OK to scab.

Well, I don't think it's OK to scab because a union's biggest leverage tool is withholding services in a legal strike. For union leader to state that we should get over it, while allowing scabs into the union has just diminished the leverage of negotiating committees across the association.

fireman0174

IMO you are 100% correct.

Bitme

I absolutely agree with you and sympathasize concerning the scab issue; my point is to get everybody back into one Union some compromises had to be made. Other options may have been looked at, but without one Union representing the whold craft and class we are impotent in D.C..

Which, leads me to the next point about what ALPA national has done about the pensions at US Air, United and Delta. I submit, what magical power other than what they've done would have changed anything in bankruptcy court. They've used every legal and legislative power they have to mitigate the devistation of each companies circumstances, but each had different pensions and different dynamics in play. I know any pilot at any of these companies or any hurting carrier wants someone to blame, but the anger should be directed toward the worthless management's that got you where you are. Also, some blame has to be accepted by each pilot, because if you didn't have extra savings, or been more diversified, or more cautious as you reached retirement then you're setting yourself up for disaster.

The sorry thing about our careers is that they're really very unstable. A wise captain at PanAm told me "have at least a years salary in cash instruments available", "always live well below your means and save", and "never forget, if someone had told me 20 years ago that PanAm would be in the position we are today I would have felt they should be hauled away in a straight jacket, so don't think it can't happen to you". These were lessons he learned the hard way as I'm sure many of you are receiving, albeit too late.

steelpilot

Alpa has proven over and over again that its OK to do whatever you want to further your own career. The " Pull up the ladder , I've got mine " mentality only gets worse ! So my advice to the Junior pilots, go ahead, step on anyone to get what you want.

Bitme

Brilliant, just brilliant. I'm glad our profession attracts such lofty moral leadership. No wonder we are in the situation we're in.

D'Angelo

That has got to be the best advice I have heard on any internet forum!! Pick up that open time. Bribe crew scheduling to get a better schedule on reserve if your on reserve. Do what's best for you period. It does not matter what is best for the union as they are simply there to collect as much money as they can. Sure you can be like sheeple and follow the union to the slaughter but thats no way to get ahead. All that paying your dues lecturing from senior guys is a load of crap. They would sell you out in a heartbeat. ALPA means every man for himself and don't ever forget it. Senior guys sell junior guys out all the time so its time for the junior pilots to strike back and tell the union to shove it.

steelpilot

And lets not forget to accept any contract the company offers because you only have 2 years to go and that will keep the lump sum intact. Accept any work rules because "You" won't be have to eat the S*@& sandwich of a contract for long. Let the junior guys deal with it for the next 20 years. And whatever you do, don't think for a minute your "brothers" are going to support your group. You are on your own and nobody CARES!

joel payne

If someone complains about the 1 1/2- 2% ALPA dues, then they have bigger problems than that. Pay is ONLY one side of ALPA. Without their Safety Committee, the probably wouldn't be near as many VASI's, PAPI's, HOLD SHORT LIGHTS' etc. around as there are. The motto "Schedule With Safety" still applies.

Flight25

Ah lets see how moral you are, from an earlier post.
"Personally I don't have to be civil nor recognize them as human beings, nor do I have to perform CPR on them when they fall over, but that's just me"

Not that is what I call moral leadership. Take a look in the mirror Mr. High and Mighty

steelpilot

You must be a real BLAST to fly with, but then how would you know?