Pineapple Guy

Please provide examples of that mud slinging Carl.

Carl Spackler

You, alfa, slowplay etc., referring to TC as an angry furloughed guy only interested in extracting revenge. You guys referring to JM's involvement in DPA as an attempted power grab and revenge for being ousted as MEC chair. You guys saying that DPA is really all about overturning the DAL/NWA SLI. You guys constantly referring to the DPA attorney as the USAPA attorney and a money sucker.

Shall I continue?

Carl

FlyingViking

No need, those poor fellas work for ALPA, and NOT for Delta or their pilots. Let us rather focus on how we can make DPA succeed sooner rather than later.

Jack Bauer

Carl provided examples of mud slinging. The nonsense that went on during the DPA ATL surge week (DALPA's actions) is a perfect example of "childlike behavior". I am embarrassed for ALPA/DALPA. If ALPA believes in the concept of "let the best man win" then stop with the cockblocking defense. It only further harms your credibility.

Notes from Surge Week in ATL mid April 2011:

Shortly after we began, a large contingent of ALPA representatives arrived and occupied the two rows of desks directly behind us and began to “interact” with DPA members. ALPA reps began photographing DPA representatives and Delta Pilots who were signing Cards and wrote down personal information about them. ALPA reps interrupted conversations between DPA reps and potential members in an attempt to disrupt our communication. ALPA reps physically positioned themselves into the personal space of conversations they were not invited into. While DPA had agreed not to post a sign, ALPA had a large banner with its insignia on it draped over the desk behind our registrar station and proceeded to advocate against DPA from that position as well as elsewhere in the lounge. By mid-morning, ALPA complained about DPA in the foyer and we were told by the Chief Pilot on duty to withdraw into the hallway along the bag room. Not long after that, ALPA complained again and we were told to withdraw further into the Pilots lounge beyond the hallway.

Immediately after DPA left the hallway, four ALPA reps, including the LEC Chairman, took up positions in the hallway and began to advocate against DPA with every pilot who entered the lounge. DPA protested this biased treatment and ALPA was subsequently removed from the hallway. By late morning, ALPA complained about the greeting being used by DPA representatives and DPA was further restricted by the Chief Pilots to only being able to state our names, base and category unless asked a direct question. Authorization Cards were being signed at a brisk rate up until we lost the ability to let people know we were there. 48 Cards were signed the first day.

Tuesday, we showed up a bit earlier to secure the same locations, just early enough to outmatch the equally early ALPA arrival. Before long, more attempts at intimidation tactics began. At one point, an ALPA rep pulled a chair into the outfitter area and sat there taking notes as new members approached to receive their new member packets. DPA objected to this and got the offending rep removed. ALPA then complained about our outfitter location in the vending area and I gladly agreed to relocate the outfitter to an empty desk in the lounge. While I had wanted to keep the outfitting station as far from the lounge chairs as possible, I saw the opportunity to negotiate increased visibility and subsequently acquired it. ALPA then complained about a roller bag with two green DPA bag tags on it, so we were ordered by management to remove one of them. We were also ordered to relocate a personal duffel bag with a DPA tag on it as well. In exchange for this, I required that ALPA remove their banner. Many pilots watched with great interest as ALPA was forced to fold up their banner in response to our demand. Being restricted from greeting and having no sign to indicate we were there, only 10 Cards were received that day.

Wednesday, after arriving even earlier and just ahead, once again, of the ALPA reps, a DPA member brought in doughnuts to share with everyone. While these were not objected to, ALPA was hesitant to eat them. Later in the morning, a Chief Pilot brought a box of doughnuts to the ALPA reps. ALPA again occupied the two rows behind us and continued to monitor our new members and the actions of our reps. With all of the same restrictions hampering our presence, we obtained only 13 Cards that day.

Thursday, we showed up even earlier than the day prior and, for the fourth day in a row, staked out our position just minutes before the ALPA reps arrived. Again, they occupied the two rows behind us. Similar pressure tactics as used before were immediately employed against DPA reps and potential members. An ALPA rep was removed from our area for barging into a conversation between a potential member and the DPA rep. The LEC Chairman was also required to move further from our registrar desk where he had taken a position on the same row right beside the registrar. A DPA member provided pizza to share for lunch without objection. After lunch, a DPA ATIS magazine mysteriously appeared at an empty desk three seats down from our outfitter. ALPA tried to file a complaint that we had left advocacy material unattended. That complaint was denied by management as the DPA member never left his position. An ALPA rep was asked by a pilot if he had dropped a trip to monitor DPA. The rep responded that he had dropped a three day trip for this event. We all marvelled at the massive amount of dues dollars wasted as 6 to 8 ALPA reps spent the week monitoring us. Just after lunch, new DPA logo shirts arrived and the team changed into the new DPA uniform. These shirts were a critical adjustment made to compensate for the restriction on greetings and signage. Just as the shirts arrived, former MEC Chairman John Malone arrived to lend his support for DPA. It was interesting to watch how the ALPA reps reacted to his presence. Some disappeared entirely while others showed him great respect. Not being involved in the leadership of DPA, John’s contribution of his time and support was a welcome addition to the week. Despite all the same restrictions, we added 17 new members that day.

Friday, I arrived at 0510, even earlier than the day before. This time, an ALPA rep was already present at our normal location. In exchange for this, I relocated the entire operation over to the two tables under the gate monitors on the other side of the room. ALPA had been using this location to monitor us near the v-files all week. This caused ALPA to lose the “bleachers” as an effective location for monitoring and forced them to stay on their feet or lose contact with us. This location was also unique in that four different companies were soliciting there via signs and a representative from Easy-Bid routinely solicited from there. A DPA member brought in doughnuts once again. ALPA complained about our location and the Chief Pilot initially ordered us to relocate back to the three rows of desks where we had been all week. I sent a photo of the solicitation allowed at the two tables to management and expressed that legal action would begin if management insisted on moving us. Upon further review, we were allowed to stay at that location, but with additional new restrictions. We had to make space for the Easy-Bid representative. We were forbidden from viewing a DPA document (DPA ATIS) on a personal laptop computer screen there. We were ordered to relocate a DPA member’s roller bag and flight kit to another location. Most incredible of all, we were ordered to move the doughnuts away from our location. Management successfully eliminated every possible indication that DPA was at that table and every motivation to visit the table was removed as well. All that was left was a DPA rep team under a gag order wearing DPA shirts. We still managed to collect 21 new Cards that day.

ALPA tried every possible avenue to get DPA ejected from the lounge, but they were unsuccessful. Our members were the utmost professionals and kept ALPA on their heels the entire week. By complying with even the most absurd demands from management, we managed to keep gathering new members and prove our resolve to outmatch the current representation. Careful documentation of the week’s events will provide solid evidence in the event legal action becomes necessary. While we collected photographic evidence of ALPA representative misbehavior and management interference, we will not be posting those photos. All of the ALPA reps chosen to “supervise” DPA activities conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner several times during the week. Despite that fact, they are Delta Pilots and future DPA members. They will receive the same clean slate as all other Delta Pilots upon certification, and as such, need not be further embarrassed. I ask that DPA members treat our opposition with respect, even if our opposition is disrespectful.

As you can see, we are doing everything physically possible to move our campaign ahead despite interference by management and unprofessional behavior by ALPA. DPA leadership has maintained the high ground through every challenge. We have proven our character to be worthy of representing Delta Pilots.

exeagle

Agreed. TC seems to be a standup guy who is just trying to do what he feels is best for the pilot group. Simple as that. Well done. Keep it up.

Enemyofthestate

Sheeeeet Boyz, I can't reckon why ALPA keeps mess'n with ya'll and doesn't just mosey on over to management and get you trouble makers a special check ride or two or fitness for duty.

We know your kind and ya'll best git if you know what's good for ya.....

forgot to bid

Is that legal?

Carl Spackler

Yes it is legal. We at ALPA have used this tactic to document scabs as they crossed a picket line. We always wanted photographic proof so the scab could never deny what he did in later years.

The sick part here is that DALPA would use this tactic against our own pilots for nothing other than attending a DPA information session and picking up a brochure. Anyone who witnessed that was sickened by it.

Carl

Pineapple Guy

Carl, I call them as I see them. And I agree with you on this post.

ExAF

A chill just went down Lucifer's spine!