Originally Posted by PCL_128 (Post 1280952)

Scope decisions are made by individual pilot groups, not by ALPA International.



ALPA represented both the TWA and MEH pilots to the absolute greatest extent possible. Expecting the impossible is not a reasonable expectation.



Yes, all of them. And I feel horrible for what happened to the TWA pilots. But their anger and blame are misplaced. The APA and AMR are to blame for their predicament. Not ALPA.



A judge didn't make the ruling. A jury did. And I think we all know how intelligent juries can be about very complex cases.



This is a two-stage process. The first stage is over, and it can't even be appealed under after the second stage is complete. I have little doubt that ALPA will prevail in an appeal, making the second stage irrelevant. But setting that aside, it's likely that the second stage won't result in an award of any significant damages, anyway. A prior DFR ruling against ALPA resulted in a damages award of $1. Not $1 per pilot, just $1. Total. The jury decided that while ALPA had violated its DFR obligation, that no financial consequences resulted. Therefore, no big monetary award. The same sort of ruling is likely in this case. While a jury ruled ALPA in violation of its DFR obligation, a second jury is very likely to see that nothing that ALPA could have done would have resulted in the TWA pilots receiving anymore money, so a monetary penalty isn't justified.

But even if one was awarded, ALPA does have a significant amount of insurance to cover DFR liability. I don't suspect that ALPA will end up needing it in this case, though.

Originally Posted by PCL_128 (Post 1281295)

No, none of the numbers on the so-called "Union Facts" web site are accurate. They are deliberate distortions. Union Facts is run by one of the most preeminent union busters in the country. The web site is funded by corporate interests that are trying to kill unions and turn their own members against them based on misleading information.

The president is paid 100 hours per month at the same pay rate he would make while flying the line. He gets a 26% override on top of that to account for the greater workload and responsibility. That's his salary. It's really very easy to figure out.

Originally Posted by shimmydamp (Post 1281401)

How many of those complaining about ALPA have ever ran for a local rep /MEC officer election? Since it is such a cushy gig, being tied to your phone answering contract questions and dealing with last minute conference calls... then surely you all have attempted to secure this position? Attended a meeting?

It's like those that do nothing but bash politicians, forgetting that anyone can run for city council, state senate etc., but would never actually do the job themselves because it is too much thankless work.

Originally Posted by shimmydamp (Post 1281401)

How many of those complaining about ALPA have ever ran for a local rep /MEC officer election? Since it is such a cushy gig, being tied to your phone answering contract questions and dealing with last minute conference calls... then surely you all have attempted to secure this position? Attended a meeting?

It's like those that do nothing but bash politicians, forgetting that anyone can run for city council, state senate etc., but would never actually do the job themselves because it is too much thankless work.

Originally Posted by shimmydamp (Post 1281423)

Well I disagree, and believe that AirTran and FedEx are two examples where independent unions were dumped in favor of ALPA because they couldn't do better on their own. You seem pretty hell bent on improving the profession so we can agree on that... But as I have always said, results don't come from posting on APC. Back to my hibernation.