Sure, they'll let a small carrier that won't impact much of the economy walk. Spirit's absence barely dinged Detrot and almost impacted Fort Lauderdale. The NMB needs one at there every now and then to keep up the appearance of fairness. Jet Blue would cause major problems at JFK and the northeast, so forget that.

If they want to shell out their hard earned ca$h to ALPA for banners and slogans, so be it. ALPA won't give them anymore then any other bargaining representative either in or out of house.

That wasn't so much a strike, as a well choreographed publicity stunt.

I see you have all the answers. While ALPA is by no means perfect, it is by far the best alternative out there. Without a large collective voice, I doubt we would have had the few legislative victories that this profession has had. They made plenty of mistakes, but all in all, I am not complaining too much. I work for Fedex and ALPA has been far better than our independent union.

Whine all you like, but tell me how great American's union has been.

Most of our failures aren't ALPA nationals fault, but those of our own MECs and pilot groups.

But go ahead and whine if it makes you feel better...

You're a smart man, golfandfly.

What I don't get is why the ALPA haters either can't or won't understand this simple concept.

On the contrary. After two and a half decades with ALPA, I have NO answers, but the Herndon Huckster's will be pleased to hear of your approval, however you're a minority in the industry. I believe they're finishing up the back nine at Sterling Park.......if you hurry, you could text them pleasant tidings before their shower and the evening buffet. It's good to know the entire top echelon are all millionaires.

Too bad that grotesque wealth didn't trickle down to most pilots, but hey, a fool and his money. It's just I hate to see a new pilot group not learn from the lessons of the past and make avoidable mistakes and lining ALPA's pockets is a mistake.

This statement only strengthens my points. Either ALPA national was so worthless that they were unable to properly guide those that fall under their umbrella (local MEC's and pilot groups), in which case they're no better then an independent union as the results were the same and thus no point in having them -or- they CHOSE to guide those groups in a direction that was in THEIR best interest.

It's clueless to think national sits back and has no influence on the MEC's, letting them jump or fall over any cliff of their choice. The fact is, ALPA is a business in and of itself and the purpose of a business is profit (or at least self-sustainance). The top fatcats compensation packages are quite enviable indeed and FAR more compensation then deserved considering their results.

Perhaps you could do a little research and enlighten us all ? Specifically, could you find out what financial sacrifices have been made in Herndon over the last 10 years while the majority of airline pilots have seen their profession decimated to complete shambles with the career now relegated to little more then Greyhound drivers under ALPA's WATCH ?

I'll bet virtually NONE. Oh sure, the top tier freight guys have done well, but those flying passengers have been hosed six ways till Tuesday. Come to think of it, Fed Ex is the only decent place around besides SWA and UPS and those AREN'T ALPA are they ?

If you want to be ALPA's bugle blower, that's fine, but those about to fall into the trap deserve another POV.

You're not worried ALPA will be sued spitless into BK or financially collapse under their own lard requiring them to double your dues are you ?

Seems to me, that would be one motive to whistle a happy Herndon tune and why not ?

Self-interest is what got ALPA where it is today.

bingo!!!...

Now your talking ALPA PAC, a completely different, broken, bloated entity.

To put it kindly.

Carl