LoudFastRules

We aren't a regional airline.

LoudFastRules

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Fins Up

Yes, there is a conflict of interest. No, it does not change the fact that we need a CBA.

This type of thing shouldn't happen. I hope we at jetblue will do our best to prevent this from happening, at least among our own people. No, it does not change the fact that we need a CBA.

That supposed $2mil we have isn't going to take us very far either. And if some pilots want to take their piece of it to pursue SLI with different representation, they can do that and that $2mil gets even smaller real fast. Can anyone even tell us where that money is? Does it really exist? No, it does not change the fact that we need a CBA.

True. That's what your tax-deductible 1.9% is for. Still doesn't change the fact that we need a CBA.

No, ALPA is not perfect. But we need their resources. Who is going to better look out for the pilots' interests: company management or an MEC of OUR OWN PILOTS. It will be incumbent on us to make sure we get the right people in place.

Question: Are you voting no to ALPA or no to a CBA? There is no way an in-house union will work for us. Management has made it very clear that they still consider that an "outside third party". The only other options I know of are ALPA and Teamsters. I'm not sure what Teamsters could offer us that ALPA can't. They haven't shown any interest in us anyway. So again, are you voting no to ALPA or to a CBA? If you have any other ideas, we're all ears.

In case I forgot to mention it, WE NEED A CBA.

LoudFastRules

1) Regional airlines have failed. They'll be gone in a few years. We aren't a regional airline. Guess who wins between the two? A: The majors. We aren't a regional, and we don't use regional lift, so this point is completely irrelevant.

2) Do you think management doesn't order a few drinks when they go out to dinner? I don't care if my hard working reps want to blow off some steam, especially if they are under stress during negotiations or BK, or any of the other crap that has happened over the last decade. All I care about is if they deliver results for me. For our peer set, they certainly have delivered. When they deliver for us, I'll be glad to buy a round.

3) This is not necessarily true. If the merger process agreement (something a CBA gives you) specifies that the company picks up the merger committee funding tab, then they will. Mergers tend to suck, anyway you slice it. However, I was not assessed, not even for a nickle, for the ALPA merger I went through. Besides, there is no guarantee a PEA merger wouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. If we negotiate for merger costs to be covered by the company, they will be. I was not happy with the results from the merger I experienced, but I did not have to pay for it, either.

4) Sorry, this is a completely false reason. ALPA is prohibited by law from using your dues for political lobbying. They have a PAC for lobbying which is supported by 100% voluntary donations. Many ALPA pilots do not donate to the PAC. No one needs to.

5) Yeah, it would be nice if the unicorns and rainbow power would make ALPA perfect. At the end of the day, it's just business. Id rather have competent professionals negotiate my contract, and looking at the results ALPA have delivered to our peer-set pilot groups, I'd have to call them competent. Perfect? No. But our peer set pilot groups enjoy significantly better work rules and benefits than we do. Pay is just a small part of the package. Our CEO uses outside professionals to negotiate his compensation. Why shouldn't we?

P-3Bubba

Ahh yes, but in the world you have control of you. In the airlines you believe in who will be the best to control what you believe. I believe that's what I was saying by chose who you believe.

Information.

Misinformation.

sailingfun

ALPA dues money does not go for lobbying. ALPA PAC money is used for that. PAC contributions are voluntary however if you have any sense at all you will make some contribution.
If your MEC is a wise steward of your dues money you should receive a refund on unused money. My actual dues rate after refunds is about 1.5%.
As far as mergers some dues money is used and you get the resources from national without additional charge. Most airlines choose to build a war chest with a assessment. After the merger is complete unused money is refunded. In 3 mergers I have never had that assessment exceed a fraction of my dues before the refund and less after contrary to what the one poster implied.

BlindBentBingo

JB ELT would never waste money on booze. Or spend $$$$$$$$ on dinners and drinks to pump newbies like me full of blue juice. Or pick up hotel rooms (when they couldn't afford to do so after I busted my arse for 16hrs at the end of a 4-day during an IROP, so I could zzz a bit before driving 3 hours home in the wee hours during a snow storm). Or buy off trips or reserve days from us so we can attend, resulting in multiple RSA calls.

Yup. Them people are frugal!

benzoate

Every ALPA major and most regionals have better insurance than Jetblue.
Every ALPA major and most regionals have better scope, work rules, vacation, disability, LOL than Jetblue.
Every ALPA major and regional has protections during a T/E and the ability to negotiate an SLI.

Jetblue has an executive leadership team who has proven to take more than it is willing to give.

ALPA or its PAC's may lobby but they are also the only group trying to protect US pilot jobs. Every CEO and BOD of a US airline would love foreign ownership. All they see is $$$. ALPA has to us $$$ to protect our jobs for the long term.

P-3Bubba

Benzobait,

Endeavor Airlines is hiring.

benzoate

P-3 the reason no one respects your opinion is you can't provide facts and absent any true experience with unions or major airlines you resort to calling names.

Hence forth you are now Nancy.

Good luck voting no Nancy.