I agree! However, I'll support what in my professional assessment is the correct course of action to ensure my individual and our collective welfare. People's careers and livelihoods are on the line. And those mistakes you mention... many could have been avoided if they had listened to some of the very smart pilots that work here. Instead, most were brushed off because "our union reps know what's better for everyone." Heck, I have an MBA and formal education in collective bargaining, negotiations and management-labor relations. I'll volunteer! I'll share ideas! Oh, never mind, I forgot that's not how it works around here. Ask C.R., a captain and practicing, experienced lawyer what happened when he volunteered in the past.
The day the MEC shows transparency in its dealings, including selection of negotiators and reps, LISTENS and ACTS towards the wishes of the entire group will be the day ALL pilots will support their efforts. Which reminds me, why haven't they agreed to a meeting/voting session for Council 77 interim captain rep in DFW if many pilots have already contacted them regarding this issue? It's clearly allowed in the Bylaws. Because they have a "homegrown" candidate in LAS that they want to win. You see? Play clean, and everybody will join them, including myself.

So you volunteered to be on the negotiating committee and were sent packing?

09-02-2014 | 06:24 PM

#7823

A320Flyer

Banned

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 501

Likes: 0

From: A320 CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qotsaautopilot

So you volunteered to be on the negotiating committee and were sent packing?

Would that surprise you? Many pilots here have volunteered for unions positions and have been sent packing. Critical titles such as negotiator and scheduling rep are non-negotiable to them. These are appointed positions, and what matters in the end is political allegiance, friendship, or some relationship entertained during some ALPA National meeting somewhere. The Chairman proposes an appointee and (in some cases) they get "confirmed" by the captain & F/O reps. It's like Washington DC's "Spoils System." Definitely not the "Merit System." Pretty simple.

Last edited by A320Flyer; 09-02-2014 at 06:40 PM. Reason: addition

09-02-2014 | 07:13 PM

#7824

Qotsaautopilot

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 4,603

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I'm just asking if you formally volunteered for the position.

09-03-2014 | 08:12 AM

#7825

ManFlex

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Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 715

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From: A320 Left

Quote:

Originally Posted by A320Flyer

Have you done ALPA work at NK before? Inquiring minds would like to know.

09-03-2014 | 12:23 PM

#7826

skybolt

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 758

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManFlex

Have you done ALPA work at NK before? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Yes A 320 has been a Spirit ALPA volunteer. Safety in 2008 & 2009 IIRC.

I can verify the "Spirit ALPA doesn't want any volunteers that might disagree with the politics of the MEC" story. I have volunteered for non political open positions and was turned down . They would rather leave the position vacant than let one of us have it.

Do they wonder why they have opposition?

09-03-2014 | 01:01 PM

#7827

Gunga Galunga

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Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 244

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From: A320

Quote:

Originally Posted by skybolt

I am not taking sides, I am solely curious -- how do you know you were discriminated against due to your views against the MEC? What was your experience and qualifications and what was the position you applied for?

09-03-2014 | 02:18 PM

#7828

Balder

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Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 130

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From: Airbus Left

Maybe it is time to bury the ax, Skybolt. All this started started a long time ago, 7 or 8 years ago, maybe earlier?

09-03-2014 | 02:54 PM

#7829

Orbit

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 193

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Balder

Maybe it is time to bury the ax, Skybolt. All this started started a long time ago, 7 or 8 years ago, maybe earlier?

OK, let's see. What would constitute 'burying the ax'?
1. Don't run for office.
2. Don't question the MEC
3. Don't expect accountability
4. Don't ask about trip drops
5. Don't use message boards to discuss your politics
6. Don't try to volunteer for any positions
7. Don't apply to be an instructor.

Is that what you had in mind?

09-03-2014 | 10:04 PM

#7830

skybolt

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 758

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balder

Maybe it is time to bury the ax, Skybolt. All this started started a long time ago, 7 or 8 years ago, maybe earlier?

Maybe it's time to bury the ax? What makes you think I am carrying, or swinging, an ax?

If you think I've been carrying an ax, what would you say if I did something like recall a rep, or present a resolution to dump the negotiators.

Let me help your side out a wee bit. While you guys work to assassinate my legacy, many others are working to make our union a more member friendly/member responsive association. If you think that the only thing holding us back is me, you're seriously underestimating the anger felt by a large portion of your fellow pilots. I could assume horizontal tomorrow and your problems wouldn't go away.

Take this for what it's worth, but you guys might want to try and show some positive leadership instead of fighting shadows. Because our chance of making contractual gains doesnt depend on me, it depends on whether or not you guys can unify a factured pilot group.

But I'm sure that y'all will continue to play the same old game. Go ahead, while you're worried about me, pilots that dont know either me nor you will dump both our teams. I'm OK with that.