What passenger carrier, ALPA or non-ALPA, has reached a good position within the last 20 years? Aside from SWA, none.

I do not feel that it is possible to accurately picture where our profession would be without ALPA. It is easy to look back and point out where ALPA may have been wrong. Hindsight is always perfect.

The reason that ALPA cannot instantly achieve all that we would like, lies in the RLA and the inherent advantages it gives to the employer. Couple that with the whacked out conservatives appointed to the federal bench and various Federal labor boards and departments since 1980, and it is easy to see that unions face an uphill fight in this country.

 

Woha Bessy!

It's not always about pay. What about the bennies?

Let's not forget that ALPA is not just about contracts and grievance representation. ALPA has a lot of good programs. ALPA MED, ALPA Insurance, Accident Assistance Programs, Safety training and development and yes LEGAL REPRESENTATION!

We pay a lot of money but if I have to give up x% so a few pilots that have a screw up get proper representation in court. I will do it.

We're all in this together and my ALPA is strong! That's why we can't get RFPs. Were not giving up ANYTHING, and were too expensive!

With ALPA to back us, and with expensive lawyers I won three grievances last year that with out legal support I would have been about $400 under the table. Considering that I gave about $1000 to ALPA in dues last year; I would say the return on my investment among other fantastic contractural clauses was worth it.

You non union carrers have NO IDEA the oportunities you are missing out on! If you think I'm wrong for feeling the way I do; come talk to me when you screw up, ding a wing, or say the wrong thing to a flight attendant and suddenly find yourself jobless.

 

Furthermore, ALPA safety has made tremendous strides in aviation safety that everyone benefits from on a daily basis. Asside from just the safety, the pear support organizations such as CIRP, as you stated the legal department, aeromed, dozens of other programs that really assist pilots. I think that most people that do not like alpa dont know what resources are available to them.

 

...ask a former TWA pilot what ALPA did for them and you'd be surprised. It kind of hurts when the Union that's supposed to be supporting you is really trying to pitch itself to the acquiring non-ALPA carrier.

ALPA departments such as Safety, Aeromedical, CIRP, etc, are very worthwhile causes but do not necessarily steer ALPA as an organization. What drives ALPA as an organization is the necessity to recruit as many non-ALPA pilot groups as possible for two important reasons:

1) Increase in revenue due to additional membership.

2) The likelihood of letting an independent union succeed. What message would be sent if a non-ALPA union was able to better represent its membership than what ALPA does? If an ALPA unit was dissatisfied with the representation or (lack of) assistance by National, decertifying ALPA might cross their minds. We've seen it happen already at USAir and Atlas/Polar.

My opinion is that ALPA is at a crossroads when it comes to representing the airline piloting profession. As it's always looking for new membership, how can it represent the current membership in the same ethical capacity? As it's trying to defend the contracts of XYZ Airlines' pilots, how do they not tread all over that very airline's code share partner whom they also happen to represent?

And how should they represent the pilots of an outgoing carrier when absorbed by a non-ALPA carrier? How should they represent the fragmented segment of a carrier being acquired by a non-ALPA carrier?

X

 

Some of the support functions are good(medical/legal/accident stuff) but as long as John Prater is President I strongly suggest that you avoid joining. He threw the America West pilots under the bus. We are having to pay dearly for some high-priced legal help to do the job of defending the arbitration.

ALPA national is charged with defending and protecting seniority arbitrations that are conducted under their merger policy. They bailed out when when it mattered most. Our lawsuit against the real men of genious dba USAPA kicks off this week-stay tuned.

 

The biggest hinderance since 1980 is deregulation. Good luck getting that genie back into the bottle.

ALPA is a perfect concept that does not take into account imperfect realities. We have a liberal government in place....so what's the excuse going to be now?

 

I would certainly agree that ALPA has many programs that benefit the rank and file men and women in the cockpit. No doubt about that. Central Air Safety, CIRP, Aeromedical, Security Committees, etc. all provide direct benefit to the folks in the cockpit and are worth your dues dollars.

I spent 7 years volunteering at the LEC/MEC level and 5+ years at ALPA National. It was during that period, particularly at National where my eyes were opened to the waste and true objectives of our national officers, or at least most of them. Research the Dept. of Labor statistics and check out what every employee at ALPA National was paid last year. It's public domain and it will shock you. Then check out the expenses of national officers, the dues money wasted on frivolous dinners and "special events" and your stomach will turn over. Considering the economic conditions of the day and the pay cuts that pilots have endured, you can't help but be disillusioned.

I'm not saying that everyone within the national organization is corrupt, as there are some good, well meaning people.....just not enough of them to offset the greed and hypocrisy of the national officers and leaders.

Glad I'm not paying dues anymore as the glossy magazine really isn't worth it.

G'Luck Mates

 

[QUOTE=X Rated;601141]...ask a former TWA pilot what ALPA did for them and you'd be surprised.

Don't limit yourself to a former TWA pilot. Let's look at the past 20-30 years. Braniff 1, Braniff 2, Eastern, Pan Am, Midway, Usair, Pensions, Stock, Bonds, the age 60 rule that I think most pilots were against, and the most shicking is what was done behind the backs of the TWA pilots.

The volunteers are great, but in todays reality I think pilots would be hard pressed to think of 10 items directly related to ALPA that is or was good for their career, and yet I think they would have no problem finding 10 items that was bad for their career.