Pineapple Guy

From the DPA Website:

Base Communication Representatives

When the CVG Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the LAX Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the MEM Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the MSP Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the NYC Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the SEA Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.

Base Communication Representatives

When the SLC Base Communication Representatives have been selected, they will be announced here.




And we are asked to believe that an organization with "thousands of cards", which can't find 9 pilots willing to step up to the plate to volunteer, is going to be able to successfully open negotiations in Section 6 in less than 15 months?

DAL 88 Driver

I agree with you, PG. I think that is a legitimate concern/criticism, and it is a lot of the reason I'm skeptical that DPA is going to get off the ground.

Unfortunately, I'm also very skeptical that ALPA is going to get it together to "successfully open negotiations in Section 6 in less than 15 months?" We can't even get an appropriate and compelling mission statement out of DALPA, and our new MEC Chairman wrote a pretty good first letter but is apparently ignoring one of the top two issues facing our pilot group (scope). Plus, we've spent the last several years telegraphing that our pilot group is pretty happy with the way things are and that we don't expect all that much.

I don't really care whether DPA, ALPA, or whoever represents us. What I do care about is that they have the objective of getting this profession and our careers back on track. Right now, I'm not really seeing that from either organization... least of all ALPA.

80ktsClamp

Exactly... the response from the ALPAoids on here has been pretty much as expeted. The usual "HEY LOOK OVER HERE!"

Carl Spackler

It's sad when you try to do things the way the system is supposed to allow for, and the results are so very disappointing. I have 4 people at DALPA that I should be able to communicate with. My 3 LEC reps, and the MEC Chairman. With the DTW F/O rep refusing any communication which matches that of the MEC Chairman, 50% of my officers will not even speak to me much less have a dialogue on the big issues.

This is ALPA reforming from within? I know it looks bad for DPA, but DALPA/ALPA's behavior thus far is exactly what I was afraid of. The only communication is that which they decide to disseminate via a monologue. Pathetic.

Carl

Pineapple Guy

Carl, maybe they're just tired of hearing the same ol' broken record. Ya think? They know where you stand. Unfortunately, (or perhaps FORTUNATELY) you are only ONE of their constituents...

tsquare

Is alpa going to step up in 15 months? I'm not holding my breath. But as I have said before, you win. I never thought DPA would get off the ground, and I am glad you came back here to crow about it. Now when dalpa steps on their toes, we'll all be sure to wipe your nose in it too. Your never ending arrogance is always amazing. OF course, when you get called on things, I am sure you will simply disappear, being the class guy you are.... have a nice weekend.

tsquare

Like the new songs:
"Taking It Back" and "Restoring the Profession" I can't wait to see what gets sampled next year.

DeadHead

Just to throw this out there,

Trying to run a few possible timeline scenarios out there...
(Anyone feel free to throw out there opinions)

Scenario 1
We keep heading in the direction we are in with ALPA to 2012 with the mindset of having DALPA on the trigger. The pilot group needs to approve ANY contract offered by the management, so if ALPA comes to us with a sub par contract the pilot group decides to sever it's ties with ALPA and pull the trigger of DALPA.
The con here is we lose time, figuring it would put us at least a year away from reorganizing, while also looking at an aggressive implementation timeline to get us back to the table ASAP.

Scenario 2
We push DALPA as quickly as possible between now and 2012 with a best case scenario of being formed and established going in to negotiations.
The cons, as I see it, if we do not have a strong and established legal and negotiating team we may not be in the best position sitting down at the table. Furthermore, the transition phase will take sometime while having a few learning curves in the process, you can be sure management will try and throw the group of kilter if it works towards their negotiating position.


I'm just kind of spitballing here, so if anyone sees a flaw in my logic feel free to throw it back.
From where I sit, it looks like a rock and a hard place. Neither scenario is free of it's cons and affords a little margin of error.
Anyway we look at it, I think it is imperative that our pilots not approach the negotiator's table as a fragmented, divided group.

Pineapple Guy

I'm not crowing about it. What I can't get is how you and others who complain about ALPA's lack of transparency seem to have no problem with DPA's even greater lack.

And FWIW, I absolutely agree with many of the problems with ALPA that you and others mention; I just don't see DPA as the solution. DPA will fail for the same reason ALPA is currently failing --- apathy by the majority of Delta (and now also former Northwest) pilots. Look at your own comments above. "ALPA" is not "you", it is "us". The contract that gets signed by 12,000 pilots will be what those 12,000 pilots ultimately were willing to find as an acceptable contract. Until more people get involved, the status quo will remain.

TANSTAAFL

If you think your reps are soft on scope you should attempt to have them recalled. Period.

I believe there is a LEC meeting with the MEC chairman and others on the 3rd of Feb. Perhaps you should address your concerns in person. FWIW, as mentioned previously, the MEC ch did also not address protecting or restoring pensions or not taking pay cuts, or retiree medical or improvements have to the PWA have to be zero-sum, or etc. and I don't hear the hand wringing and teeth-knashing over those issues.

FWIW I just flew with a Capt whose attitude was why should I care about scope it wont affect me I want the pay raise now. Anyone in the union who exhibits any such a sentiment should be instantly recalled or fired from union work.