Just a civl Q & A about ALPA
 

I have a question that those who are very familiar with ALPA’s position might be able to answer. Back in the day a pilot from any airline could pay dues to ALPA even if his pilot group was none union. This allowed him to benefit from some of ALPA’s many services, but not all……………..rightfully so. Does ALPA still offer this and if not, why? I know here at SKW most all of the 35%ers would sign up including myself. I understand that ALPA wouldn’t be unable to negotiate for us but I would gladly pay my 1.95% to gain their Aero-medical, legal and several of their other services. This would increase ALPA’s pilot pool and provide them a better and cheap position for future drives. I also understand that if we at SKW were to vote in an in-house union then I would be forced to stop paying into ALPA.

I’m not trying to start the hole, “ALPA vs. SKW” debate again. Just wanting to discuss ALPA in general. I believe that ALPA’s main purpose is on Capitol Hill. US Airways alone spent more than $2 million this year lobbying Capitol Hill. Add DAL, NWA, SWA, UAL, AA and many others to the list and you can get an idea of the kind of weight they can pull…………………for those who see these numbers and don’t quite understand what they are lobbying for, I'm telling you that it’s not for us! We need ALPA to stand up and protect us from them. This is an indirect battle that can and will directly affect us.

For those who talk about ALPA’s weaknesses…………………yes they have many…………..as does everything. We, on the airline level receive their benefits and services but they do not negotiate our contract for us. The effectiveness of our negotiations completely depends on the strength of our MEC and our relationship with Mgmnt.

Please keep it civil.

ALPA just changed their administrative policy manual so that retirees can do exactly what you are talking about but mostly for the benefit of their insurance policies.

As for lobbying, most of that money comes from the ALPA PAC. Which I believe you have to be a member of ALPA to contribute. ALPA PAC money comes from voluntary contributions from members. No dues money is used in the ALPA PAC.

as Purpleanga said, check out AOPA. Now that I'm back to instructing, I will use them again for my insurance and legal fees, if needed. I can't say one way or another if ALPA allows what you are asking, but I am assuming no. If I ever went to a non-union airline, I would make sure to keep AOPA as well.

Thank you, I'll check it out.