Preclearance Nonsense
11-11-2013 | 09:57 AM
#31
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Take those votes with a grain of salt. Management has a tool they don't have at mainline. United or Delta can't say "take these concessions or we're gonna shut the doors." Nobody would buy that threat. But the fear of having to start over at another crap regional on first year pay is enough to swing a yes vote. Hence the Stop the Whipsaw movement.
You have cut those guys a little slack. That's tough one, especially for a lifer with a GED and maybe a DUI or two.
11-11-2013 | 10:34 AM
#32
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Joined: Dec 2012
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I believe National, by way of Cpt. Moak, had a direct hand in the Pinnacle contract. So by your comment National did step in. Moak also had to sign the PSA contract.
11-11-2013 | 11:08 AM
#33
Permanent Reserve
Joined: Aug 2007
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In my opinion, the problem with ALPA is that they cannot represent both mainline and regional in an unbiased manner, due to conflicting interests.
Of course they always favor mainline, because $$$ talks.
If is kind of like having an attorney represent both parties in a divorce, when the attorney is sleeping with one of the parties.
The regionals (pilots) should get together and start their own union.
Of course they always favor mainline, because $$$ talks.
If is kind of like having an attorney represent both parties in a divorce, when the attorney is sleeping with one of the parties.
The regionals (pilots) should get together and start their own union.
11-11-2013 | 11:22 AM
#34
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 195
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In my opinion, the problem with ALPA is that they cannot represent both mainline and regional in an unbiased manner, due to conflicting interests.
Of course they always favor mainline, because $$$ talks.
If is kind of like having an attorney represent both parties in a divorce, when the attorney is sleeping with one of the parties.
The regionals (pilots) should get together and start their own union.
Of course they always favor mainline, because $$$ talks.
If is kind of like having an attorney represent both parties in a divorce, when the attorney is sleeping with one of the parties.
The regionals (pilots) should get together and start their own union.
11-11-2013 | 11:28 AM
#35
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,594
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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 | 11:36 AM
#36
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: 88 Gunner
As a regional FO, the only way for me to be sitting left seat of a wide body within next 10-15 years would be going to Middle East to fly thanks to ALPA approved age 65. Thus, I have very mixed feelings about this subject. I know it's good for the US airline industry in the long run, but what does that mean for my career? Same thing with cargo. If any of you actually pick up the ALPA propaganda magazine (I do occasionally for entertainment value), there was an article written by FDX MEC person about how Emirates cargo is a huge threat to the US aviation cargo industry. It had a picture of a shiny Emirates cargo 747-400. I noticed something interesting about that airplane. It had N registration. Upon closer look, I found out it was actually flown by Atlas. Again, going back to potential career progress for a regional FO, why is this such a bad thing? ALPA created a situation where career progression in the US is so crappy for regional pilots it's almost better to root for the away team 
11-11-2013 | 12:54 PM
#37
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Joined: Dec 2007
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I contribute to the PAC, yes. I think the guys in Herndon are a bunch of knuckleheads, but I'm happy with my airline's council and the PAC. Sending emails and letters to my elected representatives (half of whom I didn't vote for) doesn't seem like an effective way to voice my concerns. Short of taking up a career in politics, the PAC is the only way to know that my career interests are being representatives on Capitol Hill.
11-11-2013 | 01:28 PM
#38
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Joined: May 2013
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I contribute to the PAC, yes. I think the guys in Herndon are a bunch of knuckleheads, but I'm happy with my airline's council and the PAC. Sending emails and letters to my elected representatives (half of whom I didn't vote for) doesn't seem like an effective way to voice my concerns. Short of taking up a career in politics, the PAC is the only way to know that my career interests are being representatives on Capitol Hill.
11-12-2013 | 11:01 AM
#39
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Joined: Dec 2010
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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.
I know quite a few US regional guys who are on the A380 at Emirates--they'll upgrade DECADES sooner there than ANY US airline--so when you say "OUR" jobs going overseas to the sandbox, unless you have a career expecation to hold widebody command at a US legacy within 5-10 years--you're wrong--it's not your job going overseas.
11-12-2013 | 08:25 PM
#40
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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.
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.
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