scambo1

Smaller pilot goups are dollars ahead with ALPA because the bigger piot groups pay more than they use. So why is ALPA a benefit for a bigger pilot group?

booser

I'm a lurker and rarely post, but this is a topic that makes me want to weigh in. Sure, ALPA is big (and arguably cheaper), but how can anyone trust that the union is going to protect Section 1 of your contract when they also represent the parties that benefit from relaxing your scope?

I tell you what: if I ever get divorced I will not be letting my wife's divorce attorney represent me as well.

ALPA has a massive conflict of interest. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

LuvJockey

The only obvious benefit that I could see to JB pilots would be for merger/acquisition protections. In other words, if they are bought out by another ALPA carrier, then they would benefit from ALPA merger/acquisition policy.

Fly4hire

+1!! We definitely have our warts, I detest some of local political aspects, however it is by far and away the best alternative. Our legislative efforts are some of most effective and least recognized work ALPA does. PAC Presidents Circle, called/written by legislators 2x on FTDT.

Good luck at JB!

BoilerUP

All this talk of "conflict of interest" between mainline & regional carriers, with nobody pointing out the obvious that 1. pilot groups ratify contracts that offer concessions on scope and 2. "the union" that some think will fail to enforce Section 1 is comprised of elected & appointed representatives on the Local level.

If your reps won't "protect" your scope, replace them with some who will.

ALPA National cannot "take" scope away from mainline pilots they represent and give it to regional pilots they represent...only mainline pilots who vote to sell their scope in exchange for something else can do that. Regional pilots only get what they are allowed to fly by mainline pilots & mainline CBAs.

Everybody wants to point to a boogeyman without looking at the troll in the mirror...

B757200ER

Democracy rules, so the B6 pilots will decide what's best for them.

But, as a former TWA pilot harmed greatly after the AA (non-ALPA) merger/acquisition, I can assure you that if it is in ALPA's best interest to sell your group out---they will.

Conflict-of-interest is a familiar topic regarding this 'union'.

Vote wisely.

DAL 88 Driver

Well, you're right. Ultimately the individual pilot groups vote an agreement "up" or "down." Sounds simple. But let me ask you this. Where do the "appointed representatives on the local level" get most of their advice, analysis, and support? And how many of those local reps develop significant loyalty to ALPA?

Now, you might think that second question is off base and without merit. But consider this. Since the DPA effort at Delta has been underway, I have had two prominent DALPA officials (one the chairman of a large LEC and the other the chairman of an important committee) tell me that, if DPA replaces ALPA they will refuse to help out in the future and they also said that seems to be the consensus with most of the current volunteers. So where's the loyalty? Is it to the Delta pilot group? Or is it to ALPA? In the case of at least these two, it would seem that their loyalty is to the latter.

slowplay

Really?

These guys that are doing the work are telling you DPA isn't the way to go. You disagree, and by your support of DPA you're telling these same guys that they're doing crappy work.

And you talk about loyalty? Nice transition there.

You constantly beat your keyboard about management "respect." Seems that's not a two way street for you when dealing with guys who volunteer their time.

satchip

Believe you me, the current volunteers for DALPA won't have a place in the DPA. There will be a pure "ethnic cleansing".

DAL 88 Driver

Apples and oranges, Slow. The bottom line is that we are paying significant money for ALPA representation. It's pretty much like any other personal business decision. You expect value and results for the money paid.

Now I could live with the fact that some very bad external factors contributed greatly to the massive losses we took just prior to and during bankruptcy. What happened then was not all ALPA's fault. What I cannot live with is the way ALPA has handled this since the bankruptcy/emergency have been over... which was almost half a decade ago! Completely UNSAT.

So it has nothing to do with disrespect for the volunteers on a personal level. Many of them do fine work in various committees on our pilot group's behalf. Some of them, not so much IMO (strategic planning comes to mind). And while I can respect and appreciate the volunteer effort and sacrifices... it boils down to a business decision.

To have the careers of the Delta pilots basically slashed in HALF... and then have the association tasked with representing us act as if that's just the way it is and there is no plan to rectify it... well, I'm not willing to pay for that kind of strategic thinking, lack of initiative, and lack of performance. If you take that personally... well, sorry. It's just business.