Why hasn't ALPA attempted to repeal the RLA?
 

It seems like this would be the most realistic and effective way of improving pilots' bargaining positions with their respective companies, and the vast majority of pilots I've met support such a cause. It's an archaic, outdated, and blatantly unfair piece of legislation that has no place in 2015.

So the question must be asked: why has there been no significant push by ALPA to have Congress repeal or amend the Railway Labor Act?

My guess: ALPA and the other pilot unions fear that what eventually emerged from Congress would be even worse than what we have now. Consumer activist groups, eager for low fares, seem to have more political clout than pilots do. :(

I would call one of your government affairs guys and speak to him on the issue. The short answer is that they have however it's nearly impossible to even get a sponser to move the legislation to comittee. A few years back they tried a baby step first and asked to have Fedex removed from the RLA since they clearly don't belong there. They did get it to comittee but it died a quick death when Fred Smith pointed out all his aircraft purchase contracts had a RLA clause and he would cancel them and buy Airbus. Keep in mind that ALPA PAC money is a tiny sliver of money compared to the funds Boeing and the ATA bring to the fight.

This is never ever going to happen. Too many industries in the U.S. rely on air transportation that all of their interests dwarf those of ALPA.

The blue-chip management consulting firms alone (Bain, McKinnsey, Delloite, etc) have enough muscle to crush this. Toss in the services industries and defense, and you have sectors that are multitudes bigger than commercial air travel.

The real question is this: If we're governed by the RLA, how come we don't have a government funded retirement system like the RRTA?

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Because if airline pilots were allowed to actually strike, alpo would have to pay the pilots. The way it stands now, alpo can sit on its fat a$$ and collect dues--all the while doing nothing.

You do. It's called Social Security. RRTA works just like Social Security except the deductions and payouts are higher. RRTA has the same future financial issues that the SSA faces.

It doesn't just affect ALPA members. EVERY work group at EVERY airline. RAMP, TICKET AGENTS, MX, ect. There is a whole lot more then you are thinking. Meaning there is a ton of negotiating capital if everyone gets together on this.

If pilots could strike easier I bet those contracts wouldn't get dragged out forever.

But, what do I know? Not much.

If they exempt cargo carriers from FAR 117, it's only fair to exempt them from the RLA.