United. I look at the United page and those of companies that work for United.

 

I respectfully disagree. I fully support a "regional pilots association" for the regional industry.

Our industry, that of mainline can better represent our interests.

I have seen the historical finances of various MEC's. I've seen mainline moneys being sent down to regional carriers to support their contract efforts.

I would bet dollars to donuts if we stood in the crew rooms for a month (not in C-19) times mind you, but if we took the time to do in person interviews and asked mainline pilots how they felt you would hear an echoing of my sentiments. Mainline pilots should have more of a voice as to how their dues moneys are spent and, if what you say is true, then, I am sure you wouldn't mind a constitutional amendment in the CBL that states "it shall be unconstitutional to spend mainline dues moneys, or intermingle these funds for contract negotiations, maintenance, or enforcement at regional carriers." Another words, allow access to safety, and aeromedical and a few others, but if they don't need our money, might as well fence those funds off.

Respectfully,

 

Just because the masses don’t agree doesn’t mean it’s not true.

You didn’t argue any of the points I made on why it’s not a conflict of interest. You simply mentioned subsidization, which does happen. My point is that that is irrelevant because that money isn’t being used in a way that is negative to mainline pilots. In essence, it’s equivalent to those things you mentioned, aeromedical, safety, security, etc.

If you want to have a conversation on how dues money is allocated, then that’s a different one.

I’ll reiterate again. Mainline management negotiates with mainline pilots on what to scope in/out. Whatever isn’t scoped in, mainline management puts it up to bid and awards it to the lowest bidder. That regional airline now negotiates with their pilots on the rates of pay and working conditions of the flying that mainline pilots couldn’t/wouldn’t scope in. The results of the regional pilots negotiations have absolutely no impact on mainline pilots because it’s for flying they are not going to do anyway.

For example, if they negotiated some exorbitant rate of pay for their 76 RJ flying, it’s not taking away from mainline pilots because they’ve already made their bed. Mainline pilots’ negotiations have already been finalized by the time regional management is negotiating with regional pilots. Nothing that comes of that can change what already happened at mainline.

If you can argue the points in that last paragraph above, fine. I’ll be happy to have that conversation. But if you just want to have a conversation on dues allocation, I’ll leave that to someone else.

 

subsidizing is a conflict of interest as well as chasing the same revenue stream. I think those are two prime examples. In addition, RJ's have been taking mainline routes traditionally flown by mainline aircraft.

I see no valid reason why the RJ community and RJ industry couldn't or shouldn't have their own union.

 

I have always thought that a legacy and a regional using the same union was about as dumb as a couple going through a divorce and hiring the same attorney. Both people want as much of the pile of money as they can get. How does that attorney fairly represent both parties? Anything won by one means something lost by the other.

 

Been saying that for years. ALPA is a racket scam

 

ALPA is only as strong as the number of pilots at an individual carrier. Does it have warts? YES. Are you better off at a non-union carrier? I suggest you go fly for one for a year or two, especially a Non-Sked 121 and preferably as a Captain. Then come back and report on how things worked out for you.

 

I wouldn't' say that. I understand where you are coming from. But here is where I am coming from. I would like my ALPA dues money representing my interests and those of my "peers." Not, "aspiring peers." APA and SWAPA make a strong case for their unions representing them. I get it. But, I do love ALPA, I just think ALPA would be more effective at driving results if it were more "united", more solidarity.

How do you increase unity and solidarity? Easy, play for the same team. I think it's an easier sell for ALPA to appeal to mainline pilots on mainline issues. I don't think the NFL players association should also represent the international table tennis association. A good look at "class and craft" is really what this involves. Are regional pilots in the same class and craft? A revisit of this is prudent. Unions good, non-union bad. All I am saying is use the right tool for the job. The union is simply the tool that we use to do the job, to represent mainline interests. I'd like to see ALPA become stronger. ALPA could be stronger if it didn't try to be a jack of all trades and appeal to everyone. Do what we're good at, and do it great.

Why can't we get people to answer the call to action? because, they don't feel the love. You want pilots to write letters to Congress? I think that's easy if you simply don't just represent them, but you champion their interests.

just my opinion, flame away.

 

Not having a union would be like going into the divorce hearing without an attorney. They aren’t perfect, sometimes I think that they’re flat wrong, but after learning first hand what flying at a non union dirtbag company is like, I will gladly pay my dues.

 

^^^^^
THIS
What many don’t realize, until it’s too late, is that “absolutely no one is hiring— I will take anything, and left seat at ScallyWag Aero lets me pay my mortgage and health insurance” has left more than a few with a violation that closes many a future door for them.
The ScallyWags of the charter world consider FAR’s as something to be considered advisory only.
Give me ALPA legal at regional X any day over those guys.