When will we finally stand united?
 

I'm tired of everyone talking about how ALPA is the biggest pilot union in the US. Thats crap. ALPA is too big for its own good. Too many different locals have conflicting interests. If we get more flying its most likely coming at the expense of our "ALPA brothers" at another carrier. And trying to compare ALPA at legacy carriers to regional ALPA is rediculous. Our ALPA is only as big as our local ALPA, thats it. If we were all really as unified as we SHOULD be ALPA national could negotiate for ALL ALPA MEMBERS no matter what carrier they work for. When that happens you can call it real national union. I'm sick of paying dues to a Association which represents other carriers who may soon be taking my job away, and will take credit for its expansion.

The problem with the system is that people who are in a good position don't have any reason or way to help those who are getting screwed over by thier carriers. If we pilots actually had some balls we would stop letting our different companies work together to make us undercut each other.

Just for example look at the DCI carriers. Out of all the carriers how many are supported by ALPA? How has this helped us out? If you are at freedom or comair is hasn't helped you much, but if you are at mesaba it was great. CONFLICTING INTERESTS. When will we stop this abuse? When will we truely stand united? We need ONE DCI pilot contract (and possible senority list). ONE entity to bargain for a fair and resonable contract. If you fly a 50 seat plane at X years senority you should get Y pay... end of story. It is going to take a lot more than the threat of a strike. When we say strike managements all over the US just look at us and laugh in our faces. Its time to really grow some ball and just say, "We all stand together... negotiate these terms with us to ALL ALPA PILOTS WALK," NOT STRIKE, QUIT, OUTRIGHT.

I know this all sounds a little wild, but if its not going to go that far, why hasn't ALPA national worked harder to repeal or revise the RLA? Why don't they take my 1.95% and try to put it to use on that? And why shouldn't I get to choose how my 1.95% get spent? Our profession is being torn apart before our very eyes. We have the ability to save it but it will take drastic measures to accomplish big goals.

Its true what people say about the regionals degrading the industry. It was allowed by the pilots unions at legacy carriers in the first place, but it will take participation of ALL PILOTS INVOLVED to achieve real improvements. You better believe that DCI is working hard and with all of our managements to make sure we don't come anywhere close to this. Our future is in our own hands... the longer we wait the longer our road to recovery... if there ever is one.

It will never happen.

and alot of people thought we would never have a black president either

I agree with the fact that for big change, we must all unite and stand as one, but unfortunately I just don't see that happening any time soon. A newbie could tell you that after reading one post here on APC. You need look no further than this very forum to see how harsh and un-agreeable pilots can be with one another.

I wish it would change as well, and I fight for that change as often as I can, but I agree with BoredwLife... I'm just not sure it will ever happen.

It will never happen in the regionals. There are way too many guys who still have the mentality of paying dues like it's still 1985. I think people have forgotten how much they are worth. They certainly know at the major level.

I still don't think pilots at the majors are making what they deserve. Don't even get me started on the regionals.

Sorry for being pessimistic but for anything to change there has to be major changes, like a sacrifice of one certain carrier... As long as there is the bottom feeder mentality, as long as you can pay your way to a right seat, as long as you know you're not worth much so the only way up is to undercut, then there is no hope.

You can add to the list that as long as there are pilots that think they can pay 500 bucks online to get a college degree and think it is a good idea and might help get them back in a RJ...

I am sorry for my pessimistic views.

Dude, this post is 100% flame bait. "a sacrifice of one certain carrier"? Which one would that be? Let me guess, knowing you, Mesa? This kind of mentality is exactly what I was talking about when I said you need to look no further than APC to see why we could never stand united. If we could all stand together as one, no airline would have to be "sacrificed" as we would force all airlines to give us the QOL and pay we demand and deserve.

I bet most major airline pilots would love to see the airline you work for "sacrificed" as well. We work for regionals dude, the airlines that make up the regional airline industry are the "bottom-feeders" you so badly want to see sacrificed. Get off your high horse.

Besides, sacrifices are so 1990 b.c.

The only way we will ever return wages to previous levels is by limiting the supply of pilots. In my opinion we ought to follow the examples set by the medical and legal communities and significantly raise the entry requirements for this profession. In my opinion a pilot at the very minimum should have a college degree. Perhaps, our lobbying in Washington should be focused on getting legislature passed to establish a certifying process similar to the bar for lawyers. I forget who originally suggested this, but I think it is a great idea and we ought to explore it.