Yes, that sounds like a great idea. Then they could pay 5% dues because that's what it would take to fund such a venture, and even then only if the biggest regionals like Eagle and ASA/XJT were to join. Without them, think 10% dues. So, in other words, that wouldn't be such a smart move after all.

 

Pure B.S.

An initial funding of perhaps $1,000 per pilot of say 6,000 pilots of the top 2 regionals would be an initial stake of 6 million which would serve those pilots well considering their numbers. More pilots = more stake. 1% annual dues would do well also as you wouldn't be paying half million dollar annual compensation for the top officers or have an excessively bloated operational structure. They could join the AFL-CIO too, not that clout in Washington means anything as ALPA has proved over the last decade with their continued impotence.

Exiting quickly may also free them from the likely massive assessment and/or additional dues increase to pay for their malfeasance in representing the interests of the former TWA pilots.

Nope, this is a no-brainer and even a cave man could see that. The only ones who can't are hopeless ALPA lapdogs and lackeys.

 

Go ahead and continue your ignorant ranting. ALPA has effected more positive changes for our industry than any independent pilot union (or non-union group) could ever dream of doing. Anyone advocating for the demise of ALPA truly belongs in a different industry. I'm not thrilled by the recent changes related to the 401k; however, I understand why it happened. This merely leveled the playing field on dues contribution.

 

Yes. Great idea. Please do.

 

Perhaps you make too much as well? Please, let us all know why you believe you're worth the money you earn???

Hello pot, this is kettle.....

It's ironic how many people advocate the reduction of other's salaries; yet when someone comes knocking for theirs, the sabers are rattled. What a freaking joke!

 

The regionals have seen major changes over the past 20 years. With RJ's and automation and changes in FAR's the job has become much easier and cushier. It has also become an entry level position where all that is required is a HS diploma and a few hundred hours. 20 years ago you had to have a 4 year degree and 1500/300 just to be considered at places like AE/TWE/GL/OH/XJ. New hires at XJ started at 15 an hour and flew the metro 10 leg days under 135 regs where you could fly up to 130 hours per month. It was a great gig and no one complained.

 

Yes, because I know a whole lot of regional FOs (or even captains) who can throw down $1,000 at the drop of a hat.

Talk about "pure B.S."

Anyone who thinks that the ALPA structure is "bloated" hasn't been to Herndon or the DC Office in many, many years (or never). Such an argument might have been made in the "good old days," but not now. ALPA runs quite lean. Some would say too lean.

As far as a 1% dues structure being able to fund a regional pilot's union, that's nothing but pure fantasy. We had an independent union at AirTran prior to joining ALPA. Our dues rate during contract negotiations was 2.15%. Even with that dues rate, we struggled to have enough money to fund the essentials, and that was with very few people ever on flight pay loss. I have a feeling that you don't have an understanding of just how much it costs to hire attorneys, professional negotiators, accountants, and financial analysts, all of which are absolutely necessary for even the basic functioning of a labor union. That doesn't even begin to look at the other people like R&I specialists, Aeromedical, accident investigators, and so on. The costs to fund all of this are astronomical. Your $6 million figure as being something that could work shows just how clueless you are about how expensive this stuff is. You wouldn't even scratch the surface of necessary services for several pilot groups at that amount of money.

Highly doubtful that the AFL would ever accept a competing pilot's union for membership. Our profession doesn't have a big enough membership to justify multiple unions within the AFL.

There will be no assessments or additional dues.

 

A beautiful (but empty) propagandist diatribe. Every day regional pilots keep their cart hitched to this wobbly horse is another lost day. The lapdogs and lackeys don't want regional pilots to leave ALPA because that way ALPA can't control them and continue to use them as doormats for mainline pilots interests. As long as any regional chains themselves to this master they will remain indentured servants in perpetuity.

The top officers total compensation approaches $500K which is obscene considering their performance......or lack thereof. I'll continue to laugh heartily at any sucker who's convinced themselves throwing their money away to these people is worthwhile.

 

Deleted......just not worth it.

 

Nice rhetoric, but no facts to back it up. Regional pilots gain a tremendous amount by their membership in ALPA. Mainline pilots subsidize the operation of their MECs and provide resources that they could never dream of having on their own. But that's ok, because mainline pilots are smart enough to realize that everyone working together within a single union is worth the extra expense. A rising tide lifts all boats. There is no nefarious purpose. It is simply smart for everyone to work together.

As long as you continue to repeat blatant nonsense like this, you have zero credibility. The president is the highest compensated officer within the Association, and he makes $335k per year. Plenty of pilots at his own airline at his seniority level make more than he does. And they do it while working far less. No officer comes even close to making the absurd number that you've thrown out there. Get your facts straight and stop listening to the losers over at the DPA.