There are many differences between ALPA being "recognized" as a "trade union" and a real trade union. My father was a carpenter and member of The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America for over 4 decades. Sitting on the other side of the table when negotiating was the builders council representing all contractors in a major metropolitan region of our country. When settled ALL carpenters worked for the same pay, benefits and work rules regardless of which company they worked for. During three college summers I went to work as a "Student Carpenter", a program provided by the union to allow the son of a carpenter to work at half pay between college semesters, and never worked for the same contractor, even changing work sites and contractors during the first summer. Technically Dad was employed through the union although in his case he was in high demand by the various contractors due to the high regard they all had for him, and they would call Dad at home asking him to come to work on their project. The point here is that a real trade union makes sure all its members are paid equally for their work and does not pit one group against the other within the trade. If you were to read the history of ALPA you would know that "equal pay for equal work" was one of the founding principles that helped Dave Behncke garner support for his organization. In fact this principle was also a major part of the justification for the support ALPA received from the US congress and the White House. ALPA abandon the idea of equal representation long ago, if it ever actually existed at all, in favor of wheeling and dealing to ensure that the biggest were kept in the fold and keep ALPA afloat at any cost, including acting to the detriment of its lesser members. Why hasn't ALPA ever proposed a "national contract" for all its members? Why hasn't ALPA sought changes to the RLA, or better yet the repeal of the act? (How many of you realize we negotiate in accordance with a regulation that was enacted in 1926 and last amended in 1936?) How has ALPA changed to cope with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978? The questions go on but ALPA apologists will assure you that ALPA with all its warts is as good as we can get, is it? Lets hope not. Oh yes, a real trade unionist would be amazed if they saw the way ALPA represents it members, and walk away in total disbelief.