Preclearance Nonsense
11-11-2013 | 04:06 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 468
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Look at nearly every regional out there...they are fighting NOT to allow a concessionary contract and most are not in Chapter 11 or in a money losing business. The businesses they are flying for are making HUGE profits and then still asking for concessions. And where is ALPA? Practically holding the hand of management and going right along with it.
That is where the point of contention is...the lack of representation. But then they apparently come into the OPs crewroom with tin can in hand asking for money...not that ALPA doesn't already take more than their perceived to be worth. And that 2% can make a big difference to a regional FO who makes a pittance to begin with.
11-11-2013 | 04:10 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,967
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The PAC is one of the few things ALPA National does right. If you eventually want to have one of the wide body Captain jobs you referred to, I'd suggest you donate.
In regards to the pre-clearance facility - not one US carrier serves that airport. Why should our tax dollars go towards making life easier for the passengers of a non-US carrier? I don't have a problem with a facility being built, but it should come at their expense, since they clearly have plenty of cash floating around. The fact that they pay ex-pat pilots well doesn't make me want to open my wallet to help out their passengers.
Emirates is now flying from Milan to JFK. They'd love to do many more segments such as that, and they have the resources (state owned airline) to sustain a fare war with any Legacy carrier.
I know being ignorant is the easy way out of life, but you should care about many political matters (healthcare etc.)if you want to see this country succeed, not to mention have a sustainable career.
Where do you work?
In regards to the pre-clearance facility - not one US carrier serves that airport. Why should our tax dollars go towards making life easier for the passengers of a non-US carrier? I don't have a problem with a facility being built, but it should come at their expense, since they clearly have plenty of cash floating around. The fact that they pay ex-pat pilots well doesn't make me want to open my wallet to help out their passengers.
Emirates is now flying from Milan to JFK. They'd love to do many more segments such as that, and they have the resources (state owned airline) to sustain a fare war with any Legacy carrier.
I know being ignorant is the easy way out of life, but you should care about many political matters (healthcare etc.)if you want to see this country succeed, not to mention have a sustainable career.
Where do you work?
11-11-2013 | 04:14 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,967
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You realize ALPA PAC is about numbers not money. I am no longer at an ALPA carrier but will continue to donate. A $1 donation puts your name on the PAC list and when speaking to Senators and Congressmen numbers matter. They know numbers=votes. So yes this sabotage issue is VERY important for ALPA, Regional Pilots, Majors, Cargo and all US born pilots. You think there's not some senators that would love Quatar to go do routes like PHL to SFO or JFK to LAX etc? Those are OUR jobs at stake let alone the international routes these airlines would take over and kill.
That's all nice. But when YOU look at it from the regional perspective, why should regional pilots have any loyalty to ALPA or US mainline carriers, or US mainline pilots who do nothing but crap on us?
Regional pilots are getting jobs with Mideast carriers in droves, getting paid better and treated way better than with US carriers. and why do we care if Emirates, Qatar, and Ethihad take over US int'l. US regionals will just code share for them! Our jobs will still be secure, and we'll get paid/treated better.
Face it. Int'l scope is a mainline problem. Don't crap on us, then ask us to run with the flag when you need our help.
11-11-2013 | 04:20 AM
#14
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Joined: Dec 2007
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11-11-2013 | 04:23 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2010
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Weak. You lose. Hope you're close to retirement, Gramps. The Haboob blowing in from the Mideast isn't going to be stopped.
11-11-2013 | 05:00 AM
#16
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Just because your career has been a disappointment doesn't mean the rest of ours have to be. You got your app in at Delta?
Last edited by paxhauler85; 11-11-2013 at 05:11 AM.
11-11-2013 | 05:08 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 4
From: FIRE ALPA
It's QANTAS, Quantas. "Research before you post"!
The OP is spot on. ALPA isn't just ignoring the regionals, ALPA is actively fighting against them. ALPA had a direct hand in both the Pinnacle and PSA debacles. Intentional effort by them to set the regional segment back 15 years in compensation. Then they have the audicaty to ask us for donations? Don't think so!
The OP is spot on. ALPA isn't just ignoring the regionals, ALPA is actively fighting against them. ALPA had a direct hand in both the Pinnacle and PSA debacles. Intentional effort by them to set the regional segment back 15 years in compensation. Then they have the audicaty to ask us for donations? Don't think so!
11-11-2013 | 05:09 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 0
From: the correct seat
I'm sure this has been said, but ALPA PAC reps are out and about in regional crewrooms asking for donations to stop the preclearance facility in the UAE.
Every single airline I am aware of in the UAE that hires US pilots pays significantly more money, treats pilots significantly better than any US airline, does not outsource flying or engage in sham bankruptcies to weasel their way out of contracts, provides better health insurance/childcare/housing/tax/educational benefits than any US airline, and basically raises the bar for all pilots worldwide by providing much-needed demand pressure on the worldwide job market and salary table for all pilots--especially in the USA.
I was a hardcore ALPA supporter when I first got into this racket, but after living through age 65, Pinnacle's sham bankruptcy, PSA's recent contract, etc. etc., and now as we see the union obsessively whining about their mainline masters having to compete head-to-head with Ethiad, I feel like ALPA has simply become a protection racket solely interested in protecting the jobs and compensation of an elite class of widebody captains at US legacy carriers--regional/young pilots are truly just sharecroppers they use as a sweatshop to keep their wages high and coffers full.
Asking starving regional FOs to donate money--above and beyond our dues--to prevent one preclearance facility in the UAE? How about you address the glaringly absurd fact that I fly a plane with a mainline name full of mainline passengers with mainline tickets for poverty wages--how about taking care of that first? How about the fact that we work under the RAILWAY labor act as PILOTS first? How about the fact it is nearly impossible to go on STRIKE anymore? Maybe work on those things with your legislative budget--maybe get pilots under the NLRB instead of the RLA--maybe do that and I'll donate to your PAC fund. But no--no ALPA--I'm not donating to something that will simply kill a potential job for a US pilot at Ethiad solely to protect you half-dead Grandpas and your 777 CA slots at a US legacy carrier--something you have due to luck and timing, and something you have aggressively lobbied to keep for yourself (i.e. age 65) at the expense of young people like myself.
Over it--just absoultely over ALPA and not wearing my lanyard anymore.
Every single airline I am aware of in the UAE that hires US pilots pays significantly more money, treats pilots significantly better than any US airline, does not outsource flying or engage in sham bankruptcies to weasel their way out of contracts, provides better health insurance/childcare/housing/tax/educational benefits than any US airline, and basically raises the bar for all pilots worldwide by providing much-needed demand pressure on the worldwide job market and salary table for all pilots--especially in the USA.
I was a hardcore ALPA supporter when I first got into this racket, but after living through age 65, Pinnacle's sham bankruptcy, PSA's recent contract, etc. etc., and now as we see the union obsessively whining about their mainline masters having to compete head-to-head with Ethiad, I feel like ALPA has simply become a protection racket solely interested in protecting the jobs and compensation of an elite class of widebody captains at US legacy carriers--regional/young pilots are truly just sharecroppers they use as a sweatshop to keep their wages high and coffers full.
Asking starving regional FOs to donate money--above and beyond our dues--to prevent one preclearance facility in the UAE? How about you address the glaringly absurd fact that I fly a plane with a mainline name full of mainline passengers with mainline tickets for poverty wages--how about taking care of that first? How about the fact that we work under the RAILWAY labor act as PILOTS first? How about the fact it is nearly impossible to go on STRIKE anymore? Maybe work on those things with your legislative budget--maybe get pilots under the NLRB instead of the RLA--maybe do that and I'll donate to your PAC fund. But no--no ALPA--I'm not donating to something that will simply kill a potential job for a US pilot at Ethiad solely to protect you half-dead Grandpas and your 777 CA slots at a US legacy carrier--something you have due to luck and timing, and something you have aggressively lobbied to keep for yourself (i.e. age 65) at the expense of young people like myself.
Over it--just absoultely over ALPA and not wearing my lanyard anymore.
11-11-2013 | 06:22 AM
#19
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,847
Likes: 653
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
ALPA has simply become a protection racket solely interested in protecting the jobs and compensation of an elite class of widebody captains at US legacy carriers--regional/young pilots are truly just sharecroppers they use as a sweatshop to keep their wages high and coffers full.
11-11-2013 | 06:55 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: PA34-200
The PAC is one of the few things ALPA National does right. If you eventually want to have one of the wide body Captain jobs you referred to, I'd suggest you donate.
In regards to the pre-clearance facility - not one US carrier serves that airport. Why should our tax dollars go towards making life easier for the passengers of a non-US carrier? I don't have a problem with a facility being built, but it should come at their expense, since they clearly have plenty of cash floating around. The fact that they pay ex-pat pilots well doesn't make me want to open my wallet to help out their passengers.
Emirates is now flying from Milan to JFK. They'd love to do many more segments such as that, and they have the resources (state owned airline) to sustain a fare war with any Legacy carrier.
I know being ignorant is the easy way out of life, but you should care about many political matters (healthcare etc.)if you want to see this country succeed, not to mention have a sustainable career.
Where do you work?
In regards to the pre-clearance facility - not one US carrier serves that airport. Why should our tax dollars go towards making life easier for the passengers of a non-US carrier? I don't have a problem with a facility being built, but it should come at their expense, since they clearly have plenty of cash floating around. The fact that they pay ex-pat pilots well doesn't make me want to open my wallet to help out their passengers.
Emirates is now flying from Milan to JFK. They'd love to do many more segments such as that, and they have the resources (state owned airline) to sustain a fare war with any Legacy carrier.
I know being ignorant is the easy way out of life, but you should care about many political matters (healthcare etc.)if you want to see this country succeed, not to mention have a sustainable career.
Where do you work?
It seems to me that our government outsourcing those international routes/scope to foreign airlines (for whatever reason).
So, basically ALPA is against outsourcing? Where exactly ALPA were when the majors decided to outsource half of its domestic flying?
All I am saying if ALPA wants more support from the regional pilots, it have to support us first!
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