Age 60: Picketing ALPA
 

One Wednesday, October 18, a diverse group of about 20 pilots picketed in front of the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas where the ALPA BOD was holding its meeting. The purpose was to publicize ALPA's position on Age 60 and to influence change. Carrying the picket signs were pilots from USAir/AWA, Southwest, FedEx, and JetBlue. We had a former MEC chairman, two FedEx pilots who had resigned from ALPA, pilots from SWAPA, and non-union pilots.

The event was covered locally by several TV stations who did a great job of reporting the facts. At one point, several members of the ALPA BOD happened to walk by and appeared to be quite surprised by what was happening. One suggested that he would go up and get newly-elected John Prater to come down and speak with us. I said, "Please do. We have two pilots here that walked the picket line with him for two years and they would like to see him." It didn't happen but I think it would be a good idea at some point.

It is interesting to me that Age 60 is now a "union vs. union" matter that is highlighting how out of touch with society that ALPA and the AFL-CIO have become. Both SWAPA and the Teamsters have strongly endorsed a change to the Age 60 rule and, on November 23, 2006, it will be ALPA vs. ALPA when Air Canada Jazz begins flying in this country with pilots past age 60.

One cannot help but marvel at seeing union and non-union pilots picketing together against ALPA. The Age 60 matter is becoming a unifying force with a life of its own.

We were all pleasantly shocked by the ouster of Duane Woerth, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Age 60 issue, along with pilot resignations and other protests, was part of pushing the close vote over the edge. John Prater's platform indicated no real change from the status quo but, hopefully, his election will provide the opportunity for new ideas to come forth quickly.

Best quote (from FedEx pilot, Chuck Henry):

In 1983, I started picketing for two years on behalf of ALPA. Twenty-three years later, I am picketing picketing against ALPA. It is weird."

Bob

Sorry I could not attend because of a daughter getting married. Good Job!

how do u guys carry picket signs with a cane in one hand and an oxygen tank in the other...?

This is dumb. (I know, I know, they just do it to get a rise out of the rest of us.)

Just received this morning. Maybe we will see a change to the status quo:

By John Schmeltzer
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 19, 2006

..."The airline industry survived because of the concessions pilots and other workers made," said Prater, who lives in southern Illinois and flies out of Newark Liberty International Airport. "Now it is time for us to see a tangible return on these bitter investments."

He also could lead a change in the group's official opposition to raising the retirement age from 60 years old. The rule was imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1959. Legislation to overturn the age limit is pending in Congress.

Prater wants the FAA to follow the lead of the International Civil Aviation Authority and adopt a retirement age of 65.

Copyright c 2006, Chicago Tribune

Things are happening fast.

They are so out of touch they did a poll of their membership on the age 60 rule. We all know what the results were. Did SWAPA do a poll? Or do they simply have a vocal minority driving their agenda?

Schmeltzer? NOT a reliable source. A HIGHLY BIASED source on this issue.

Prater won't do sh!t without another ALPA poll. And I think that there will be a LOT of recently returned furloughees who will vote. Any guesses on how they'd vote?
There may be a vocal minority, but that is not going to change ALPA's policy.

For those pushing for a change, you need to rethink your strategy. Settle for being an FO after 60. There is far too much opposition to you remaining in the left seat past 60.
This issue's dead for at least two more years.

Like it or not...the change is inevitable

You sure do seem mighty threatened by this. Your hostility suggests you realize your rants on message boards can't keep change from happening.

Bob, get a clue.
 

ALPA doesn't represent you and has no reason to talk to you. They represent dues paying members, not selfish one issue quitters who don't care about furloughed pilots.