While I agree with your overall approach. Certain folks active on the B&G can’t help but behave poorly. The majority of them back a particular candidate. Their approach speaks volumes about themselves and also impugns those they claim to support.

 

Call it sheep herding, but we have backed our EB consistently with very high % participation and approval. If nothing else, it shows the company a united front, behind our EB. I don’t think it’s fear of being scolded, I think the vast majority of members accept the recommendations of our EB, which again shows the company our union speaks for us, unlike Fedex.

 

Sorry that I'm late to the party, I've been a bit occupied lately with the election campaign, trying to wrap 3 months of Grievances into 4 meetings, and normal life/Papa Duty stuff. I also admit that APC hasn't been something I'm used to frequenting, but I recognize there are several crewmembers who don't log in to the Bar and Grill because of the perceived toxicity and Keyboard Kommando types. I also wanted to commend those who have posted here. The tone of the discussion about all 3 of the candidates is something I believe we could all take forward when addressing fellow IPA members.

I will say that I had no idea that finally updating my profile picture after 16 years would cause a stir. To be totally transparent, it wasn't during the start of the campaign that I changed it. When I went into the IPA to record my candidate video I was joking with Joe Haysley (our excellent media staffer) about how my IPA photo was outdated and looked crappy anyway. So he said "how about we just take another and I'll update it." I also thought that I had changed it to a more recent picture when I accepted the Strike Chairman position last year, but for some reason the original IPA photo from 2007 was still showing up. Plus I felt fancy that day having my uniform blazer on for the first time in years!

I do take exception to several of the comments here. The implication of "good ole boy" as it relates to my choice to run for EB, for example. I wasn't "hand-picked" by anyone. When Paul Lucas told me he wasn't running for reelection it began a series of discussions with many people who have led this union and many people I respect in the pilot group. Andy Dahlgren, Mike Moody, Andy Koch, Erick Gerdes, Bill Mingari, the entire current Executive Board, and especially Paul Lucas himself. After looking at all the challenges we're currently facing and will face in the next 3 years, I chose to throw my hat in the ring. I have and do disagree with many ideas, people, and opinions. I had a heated disagreement with a senior ANC 747 Captain when I visited the ANC domicile because he wanted me to advocate for separate (higher) 747 pay rates. I told him flatly I disagreed and having the same pay scale regardless of aircraft flown was one of the best things about our CBA.

Another thing I disagree with is that the people who are vocally supporting me and their behavior somehow defines me. If you read through some of their comments on my candidate announcement thread, they even say that we have butted heads in the past. But I pride myself on discussing an issue or idea, and not making it about someone personally. WE are all members of the IPA, regardless of political stance, seniority, fleet, domicile, or any other aspect of our lives that might differ from our IPA brothers and sisters. So just because someone is vocal in their support of me doesn't mean I agree with how they attack others or the language they use towards fellow union members. I know we want to keep things simple, but this shouldn't be a popularity contest. Its about who is a best fit for leading the pilot group.

Finally, I really have done my best to make myself available for anyone who wants to reach out and ask questions or get to know me. My number and email are in the IPA directory. I took 5 days to travel to ANC and ONT to sit down with anyone who wanted express their opinions and concerns with UPS, the IPA, and our Contract. I've gone in to the sort in SDF multiple times (both AM and PM sorts) and sat there for hours speaking with crewmembers about their thoughts and experience...and I'll do it again next week. So please, if there's something you want to know, reach out. I promise I'll answer.

10 days of voting left. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE spread the word. Its so easy to vote, there's really no excuse. Text "Vote" to 877-680-3372. BallotPointe will send you a link and you'll be finished in 15 seconds.

 

It's safe to say the group is a big reason there was no mandate. When half the pilot group joins a new Signal group because the IPA was dragging their feet, UPS and the IPA took notice. It helped, trust me.

 

HALF? Doubtful

 

you are delusional if you believe any of this.

 

Thanx for throwing your hat in the ring….Ok peeps…time is getting short….VOTE VOTE VOTE!

 

Story of my life. 🙄

 

Thanks for coming over here to post. We haven't met, but your reputation precedes you, and your willingness to make yourself available to the membership validates all of the good things people have to say about you.

 

It isn't rocket SCIENCE being on the EB. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know, but ANYBODY can learn.

VOTE today.