Apathy is always a problem. I think most pilots want to fly airplanes, pay their dues for representation, and go home to their families with the peace of mind that the value of their career is being protected.

It seems to me that, whenever there is something really big, we get a much larger turnout for the vote. I guess that's human nature. But imagine if we had a compelling objective. An objective that would put our profession and our careers back on track with what most of us expected when we worked so hard to achieve this in the first place. I think THAT would overcome apathy better than anything else. I think THAT would result in a more unified pilot group than we've ever seen.

We took absolutely devastating, unprecedented cuts. I think most in this pilot group expected that, after the bankruptcy storm was over, we would recover most if not all of what was lost. When Delta came out of bankruptcy and DALPA acted like everything was hunky dory and that we had no intention of restoration... I think THAT is when apathy got taken to a whole new level.

I think DALPA has clearly demonstrated they are NOT capable of changing to the degree it would take. They have clearly demonstrated that they are committed to the idea of just doing the best they think we can from the new baseline established by bankruptcy. They've done a masterful job at establishing their political power base and making sure that anyone who has a different philosophy is either successfully discouraged or is rooted out. It's not going to get "fixed."

With a new start and a more appropriate objective, I think the apathy problem can be made better. Not cured, but better. The "old guard" won't have their claws into it or the opportunity to get their claws into it because more of us will be paying attention. At least I hope it would work that way. It's either give up or try. I choose try.

 

Agreed. Although, I'm not creative enough to come up with the resolution for something like this. Mostly because I'm not in favor of a complete 100% MEMRAT for Master Chairman. He works for the MEC, so I feel they should have some say in his hiring/firing. Maybe a weighted vote or something like that?

My point in the last few posts though, is if you want it, attend a meeting and submit the resolution. Or have a buddy submit it if you can't make the meeting. Hell, I'd even walk that one in for you if you could come up with a good solution of how to solve this problem. Guys are obviously bothered by this, so it's worth exploring.

I'm interested to hear any ideas you have that might mix MEMRAT with an MEC vote/confirmation or something like that.

The only reason we can't have what you're asking for is we haven't asked the right way. If you really want it, let's get some resolutions coming in from various councils asking for it. To date, I'm not aware that any base has proposed such a system.

 

 

What would be the definition of more cleanly?

 

I stand corrected and agree. The problem I see is getting them to change their ways (not going to happen). So what is the other option? well there's----- A. vote them out of office. or ----B. vote alpa off property. I am still unsure which avenue is best.

 

This becomes a little interesting. You advocate term limits. (I am not opposed to that, but I think it not a panacea for all the ills either) would Mr Ryan have fallen under those term limits? <---(rhetorical question) And then you have the classic old: what if the guy in office is producing well, and now he has to leave, and Johnny Bumpkin is the only guy that wants the job? Not everybody wants to do those jobs; I know I certainly don't, primarily because they are thankless, but I would rather fly airplanes. I don't want guys like Tim Caplinger running the show either, but he seems to want the job...

 

I wish I had a picture of a 57 Chevy to post.. that would suffice too wouldn't it?

 

That is the decision I am concerned about.

 

Like this?

 

Delivers what?! Our pay rates are currently at a level of buying power 32%+ BELOW where we were when we took a 32.5% pay cut an an emergency measure to supposedly prevent Delta from having to declare bankruptcy. And almost 10 years later, that pay cut essentially stands today! ZERO progress. And DALPA has indicated no intention of doing a whole lot better than that.

Delivers what? Delivers less than mediocrity.