Carl Spackler

Until you DO get confirmation of this, you sound like you're smearing on behalf of ALPA. I don't think you are, but you shouldn't post anonymous stuff like this.

Carl

Jack Bauer

Not unlike business owners, and I know there are many of those here, you don't launch a product on day one to find customers beating your door down to buy on day two. You might have the best widget (no pun intended) in the world but it takes time to disseminate and articulate what makes the product better than the rest.

There is a good chance DPA does not currently have an answer to every single question. That does not concern me at this stage. These guys just barely launched. What I will be looking for as more information emerges is the system being put into place. The system I am interested in is what several people here, including myself have been calling for. Cut through the bureaucracy and excuses. Use a modern suite of technologies to engage those they represent and represent that information to those they are hired (or volunteer) to represent to. A commitment to use best practices as gleaned from others in the industry (SWAPA, APA, CAPA, ALPA, etc), while cutting the fat. If this structure is put into place the pilots will be more front and center, feeling more engaged and involved in their careers and more satisfied with the organization they call their union.

Bucking Bar

The DPA thread acted as a defibrillator and rebooted the Dude back to web board life. Having been asleep before some pilots went all “Walter” and pulled a gun during league play, it took a minute to get my bearings.

+ On January 1st, we will enjoy a 4% raise and an increase in our defined benefit contribution plan to 13% of our earnings. This is happening while the CPI shows a .4% decrease for 2009, when the average American saw a 5% decrease in pay.
+ In February we will see profit sharing checks, we aren’t sure how much because we aren’t done adding it all up yet.
+ We are awaiting awards for advanced entitlements because both Delta and former Northwest widebody jets need more pilots.
+ We have new hire classes and those guys are going to fly the MD88 someplace (where the Dude can’t abide, but he’s happy for them)
+ Spirit Airlines just had a successful strike. Their management tried to fly through an ALPA picket line, but not only did their pilots remain unified, the rest of our profession honored the unity of our brothers. Perhaps most impressive was that the Spirit pilots walked over First Officer pay. Everyone stood together for everyone on the list.
+ When Delta management announced an intent to sunset flow provisions with the sale of Compass and Mesaba, the Delta MEC worked with management to protect the employment rights of ALPA members.
+ No Delta pilot is on involuntary furlough. Those who want to come back have been offered jobs and we’re all employed. (despite my forecast)
+ Flying is returning to mainline. The planet is being searched for MD90’s to perform flying which had been outsourced. ALPA members from our DCI partners are being offered preferential interviews and we have jobs to offer them.
+ We are in the process of electing new Reps and many new Reps have taken office. Almost all are reform minded and they listen. In Council 44 views are discussed openly and dissenting views are even seeing the light of day in publications.

Knowing a little of the sausage making that results in MEC action, there is credit for everyone to share in the Dude’s current worldview. Now that I’m awake, this post will be followed up with a little opinionating on the issues raised by the DPA.

Sink r8

Jack,

For the most part, I've modified the post you're replying to. Mainly because I blew a major fuse after I realized you were essentially calling me an ALPA stooge.

I'm going to answer one more post, and take a break from this discussion.

Carl Spackler

That is sadly true...but fixable. As much as the ALPA shills want to change the subject, remember this: Our negotiations are done by line pilots who attend negotiation seminars.

Would anyone have neurosurgery done by a line pilot who went to a neurosurgery seminar? Would you have yourself defended in a criminal case by a line pilot who went to a criminal defense seminar?

The answer is professional negotiators doing the bidding of our members through our elected officials. How anyone could think otherwise is still a mystery to me.

Carl

Carl Spackler

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This!!!.....Yes!!!!

Carl

Sink r8

Here is the problem: I'm not affiliated, and I'm not a proxy. I think and write independently, and I like to preserve my anonymity. You guys may all know each other, but I don't. I'm a line pilot who has a good relationship with his reps, and isn't afraid to call and ask questions to anyone in the union. That's it.

Now... let's say I have conversations during the day that shed a little insight into this or that... how on earth do you post the info without revealing your identitity to the people you spoke with?

So I can't back that information up any more firmly.

acl65pilot

Welcome back Bar. I am glad you took your reinstatement rights to APC.

Jack Bauer

Never intended to call you a stooge. Just doing the best I can to describe my perception of what you are writing. I'm sure you are a good person. I just disagree with you about ALPA and your reasons for wanting to disqualify DPA at this stage. I also do not agree with your suggestion that LM will be good for ALPA national.

Jack Bauer

Let me also again reiterate...I am undecided who I would ultimately vote for ALPA vs DPA. I am not presently happy with ALPA national at all. I am very impressed with my local ALPA reps but feel their pain in getting anything changed. I am willing to wait and see what emerges. Let everybody have their voice heard then make a final decision.