Thanks for the civil and informative response.

As Tim pointed out, I'm a Delta guy, and I'm not standing up for the merger fund. I've paid into my own but don't know much about yours. My question was why you guys recalled an MEC Chairman 13 days before his term ended. I pointed out that PCL also recalled theirs and wondered what was up. The merger stuff didn't fit in with the timeline as I knew it to cause a recall.



Thanks for that info and additional background. It brings up several points to me which I'll address below, but it doesn't answer the root question: why a recall?

I'm not clear on who you're mad at and think lied to you...Eric (future MEC Chair), former MEC Chair Lamprater, or somebody else?

If your MEC really thought a sale, merger or fragmentation was in the offing, then they probably spent some of that merger money getting prepped. My point was they had legitimate reasons to be prepared, as 2 of the 3 wholly owned DCI's were sold. Remember that ALPA dues can't be used for merger stuff...each pilot group has to do its own assessment. I think the combined merger fund at DAL/NWA was over $2 million.

Your assessment of the state of CMR seems to agree with Delta's decision to downsize and "pretty up" your airline. However, in 2008 when the merger fund was collected you still had over 100 airplanes and no plans to downsize had been announced. Delta's merger with NWA became public April 14, 2008, but Delta also considered and talked extensively with UAL. Maybe your MEC had advance warning that they were for sale as well.

As to forcing a merger, I have to agree with you. How can you force a company to do that? I'm not a lawyer, though I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Thanks again for the answers.

 

I'm sorry but I have no idea why there was a recall. The union has been a carousel that just inserts the same people. It is probably a difficult job being the head of a union for a very divided pilot group. Junior and Senior want very different things.

This isn't like a major airline. Nobody is working in unison in hopes of having the job they love return to form ten years from now. It is more like picking at a carcass.

I agree what another poster theorized. The recall could stem from the desire to hand the company the massive concessions it wants with the First Officers taking the brunt of it in order to save the jobs of the most senior pilots. If every FO made $20 an hour, I would imagine that Comairs costs would be the most competitive in the regional industry without affecting the captains too adversely.

It is hard to say who I am angry at specifically. It would be nice if it were one individual doing the harm. Vote out that individual and order is restored. However, the reality is that anyone that takes the helm of the MEC ultimately becomes a robot that follows commands from ALPA national. If ALPA national says to that person... "No, you will not return the merger fund." They comply. Without question or explanation to the membership. Sure we get some contrived statement that deflects the real issues... but thats not what the majority is looking for.

When the fund was instituted it was done so at ALPA's command and without a vote. I can accept that part as much as I don't like it. It would make sense that a fund be collected once a merger was announced.... but I can rationalize the actions taken given the environment in 2008.

More than two years later Comair has furloughed a ton of FOs who paid into that fund. We all know what happens to furloughs in an SLI.

Tons of people have left Comair. They have found new jobs at new carriers as well as took the early out option that Comair gave them. Is it fair for these people to pay for someone else's merger fund?

Read back a few posts. One guy is at another carrier and is still getting letters from ALPA national to pay into the fund. Why would he pay for someone else's merger?

The people at the bottom half of the list (whatever list exists at the time of a merger) will not get a favorable integration. i.e. if they are downgraded captains... they will not regain the left seat in an SLI. They will get driven deeper down the FO list and further from upgrade.

The only people wanting to hold on to the merger fund as is, are senior captains who pray for an acquisition. They are a Minority of the pilot group but of course hold the most control.

I like the idea of everyone filing a small claims suit. Imagining ALPA defending 1000 small claims suits all at once is hilarious.

I understand that Delta would love to sell Comair. I think that prettying up Comair for a sale is akin to putting lipstick on a pig.

You can't polish a turd.

 

Also, the argument that a pay cut will keep the airplanes from leaving is one that disregards the facts.

The airplanes leaving are coming up on expensive heavy mx, plus DL doesn't want them. You (meaning the people advocating a cut) could offer to fly them for free and they would still leave. So why take a pay cut? The planes will leave anyway, might as well get paid in the meantime.

 

So is does anyone here commute or know someone who commutes to the west coast?(LAX or SAN area specifically) I left my flight bag in storage at CVG and could use a little assist in getting it back. Of course a case of beer is available in return for the help

 

disregard........

 

Hey Man, 2 ideas.
1) I have friend that commutes out of LA. I'll ask him.
2) If that doesn't work, or you can't find somebody, I'm going to SAN at end of March to meet my little brother coming back from AFG.
Either way, PM if you're interested.

 

Evil check your PM's. and thank you

 

I just got back from Iraq and I'm really starting to wonder where my recall letter is...(sarcasm)

 

Your recall letter is wherever they put the merger fund...

Welcome back, and thank you for your service!

 

Couple 50's are being flown out to IGM in a couple days... saw flights in open time lol