Alpa President John Prater's Video Response To Age 60

[CAL EWR B737]

http://mmslb.eonstreams.com/alpa/Natl/Prater_Age60_01-30-07_high.wmv

Hope this link works.

 

[ferlo]

If he thinks he did a good job appearing to be neutral on this issue he'd be dead wrong. He couldn't crawl any further up Blakey's as*. I don't care how many "blue ribbons" you put on a f-in pig, it's still a pig. Of the 4 ALPA departments that are heading up this thing, I'd like to see "furlough administration" on that list as well. Fat F-in chance. Welcome to 5 more years in the right seat, or on reserve while the F-in blue hairs keep stuffing themselves...BTW, his United co-pilot story is total B.S.. That guy made over 240k for YEARS and now doesn't have a pot to piss in? To F-ing bad.

 

[aussiefly]

Thats it. I think ALPA is now done. Prater can be glad he presided over it.

 

[Neubyfly]

Take action NOW!!!!!

Prater's response was very disappointing!


Email Prater and your Congressmen.


[email protected]

http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...state&Sort=ASC

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

 

[SWA/FO]

I think ALPA is now done

they have been done.

 

[jetjockey#1]

I can't believe Prater claims ALPA is divided over this issue. NO WE ARE NOT, in the last survey almost 7 out 10 ALPA pilots said no we don't want to change the rule.

I am emailing Prater to ask him to honor our decissions as a union, or RESIGN.

What a shame, his first decission is against almost 70% of ALPA member's will.

Maybe we need to look into recalling him. NO to the age 60 rule. just like this very senior captain told me one day when I was bitching about 1st year pay. You knew how much it paid before you took this job, right?

Funny though, this clown is in favor of changing the age 60 rule. And yes, he was, is, and always will be a scab.

 

[RedTailSwinger]

It is interesting how the FAA doesn't currently allow anyone over the age of 60 to be a pilot. And now they want to allow anyone up to age 65 to be the PIC.

I think a happy medium would be to allow anyone over the age of 60 to act as a first officer with no retirement age (or age 65, 67, etc ). The PIC should remain under 60 for now.

It is disgusting that they might require the First Officer to be under the age of 60 if the captain is over 60.

 

[JT8D]

It is disgusting that they might require the First Officer to be under the age of 60 if the captain is over 60.

There is a very old English term for it...

BABYSITTING.

If being over 60 is so safe then why the caveat? Lets face it the guys in this age group aren't exactly from a generation known for taking care of themselves.

I don't blame the younger crowd one bit for saying "outta my seat ol man, you had yours".

 

[AA767AV8TOR]

I can't believe Prater claims ALPA is divided over this issue. NO WE ARE NOT, in the last survey almost 7 out 10 ALPA pilots said no we don't want to change the rule.

I am emailing Prater to ask him to honor our decissions as a union, or RESIGN.

What a shame, his first decission is against almost 70% of ALPA member's will.

Maybe we need to look into recalling him. NO to the age 60 rule. just like this very senior captain told me one day when I was bitching about 1st year pay. You knew how much it paid before you took this job, right?

Funny though, this clown is in favor of changing the age 60 rule. And yes, he was, is, and always will be a scab.

JetJock,

Exactly. I understand Prater is for the rule change, but why are ALPA members allowing him to go against the wishes of the majority?

If age 65 happens, this will be nothing more than a massive seniority merge. Remember – Career Expectations. These guys had no career expectations to fly to age 65 while all F/O’s had career expectations to continue to advance based on the Age 60 retirement.

I advise all you junior guys to run your own numbers. It sounds like Prader’s financial numbers will be bogus in order to get it past the membership. I wouldn’t trust this guy on this issue. He’s not neutral.

AA767AV8TOR

 

[Falconjet]

Copy of the email I sent to Capt Prater yesterday:

Captain Prater:

I am a pilot at FedEx and member of ALPA in good standing. In light of today's announcement and your statements in the past, I feel compelled to write to you to express my concern over this possible change.

I am sure that you are aware of the many sides of this issue. I realize that you are close to Age 60 and thus this issue is probably in the forefront of your personal situation.

As an elected official of ALPA, however, it is your duty (of course you know this) to represent the will of the union you were elected to represent. That union has spoken loud and clearly that the majority of the members are opposed to a change to the Age 60 rule. Now it might not make any difference what our union members think and this rule change will be forced upon us either way.

THAT does not change your responsibility to LEAD the union and its members in our OPPOSITION to this rule change. It should not be a complacent, lackadaisical leadership Captain, you should lead the charge up the hill and not rest until this change is defeated.

I implore you to LEAD the charge in adamant OPPOSITION to this proposed change. To do anything less than your best to preserve the careers of the majority of our union's members is a failure to fulfill the obligations of the office to which you were elected.

Again, Captain, REGARDLESS of your personal views on this matter, the UNION is adamantly opposed to this rule change. I fully expect that you will do everything in your ability to represent the will of the majority of your constituents and ensure that this change is thwarted.

Thank you for your service Captain, I look forward to hearing a more determined stance on your part against the Age 60 change.

Fraternally,

XXX
FedEx
ALPA # xxxxxxx


I do not have a warm and fuzzy at all about Captain Praters ability to represent the will of the majority of the members on this issue. It is obvious he is for a change. Not a good sign in my opinion.

FJ

 

[m80drvr]

Just wrote captain Prater myself. That video was a joke, and a slap in the face to the MAJORITY of alpa mambers.

So much for a new diredtion for ALPA.

 

[tico]

Hey Falcon,
Hope you dont mind but your letter is so well written that I borrowed parts of it and shipped it of to Prater myself

Thanks, Tico

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Somehow I have the feeling the next video will explain how the change was out of ALPA's control. However, ALPA supports the FAA decision.

 

[Cardinal]

I support Age 60 wholeheartedly, and was saddened to see the NPRM. But this video seemed quite reasonable. Prater can't just call up Blakey and get the NPRM tossed out. If there is a change, ALPA should have given this some thought (presumably the mission of the blue ribbon panel) so as to be better able to manage the transition and clean up the ensuing mess. Screaming "HELL NO!" nor sticking the union's collective head in the sand is going to generate a positive outcome. Play the cards you're dealt.

 

[Freight Dog]

No, actually it's not reasonable. You can see right through this that this man supports the rule change despite the majority. He needs to vigorously oppose this NPRM, something he hasn't done.

 

[Falconjet]

Hey Falcon,
Hope you dont mind but your letter is so well written that I borrowed parts of it and shipped it of to Prater myself

Thanks, Tico

No problem. I encourage everybody to fire away at Capt Prater.

Even those in favor.

He should represent the majority, not his personal agenda.

FJ

 

[FoxHunter]

No problem. I encourage everybody to fire away at Capt Prater.

Even those in favor.

He should represent the majority, not his personal agenda.

FJ

Could be that he will call for a real VOTE, not a poll. Intersting to see your reaction if it went the wrong way:beer: , according to your view.

 

[Purpled]

I think another vote would be good. Be sure to allow the probes and furloughs to vote.

I think many who didn't vote last time(I'm talking about the ones who were eligible) would this time. Their non-vote was probably approving of the status quo and they figured the FAA would never get around to changing it. Now, they're fully aware of the implications of not voting.

Many who did vote for change last time might change their minds this time. E.g. 40 y/o who thought, 'yeah, I hope it changes 15 years from now,' will now be thinking "Hell no, not now!"

 

[mdanno808]

Could be that he will call for a real VOTE, not a poll. Intersting to see your reaction if it went the wrong way:beer: , according to your view.

Probably something stupid and juvenile like calling him a clansman....oh wait, that's you. Disregard.

 

[Freight Dog]

FH... so even though this will be too late for you, are you gonna be one of those who will sue ALPA, FAA, and everyone else to get back on the list?

 

[Purpled]

Just make sure that all people whose jobs will change due to this NPRM.

Come to think of it, 58 and older shouldn't vote since they will be over 60 when the change is enacted, therefore will not be able to return to the front seat according to the FAA.

 

[warbirdfinder]

ferlo wrote:
If he thinks he did a good job appearing to be neutral on this issue he'd be dead wrong. He couldn't crawl any further up Blakey's as*. I don't care how many "blue ribbons" you put on a f-in pig, it's still a pig. Of the 4 ALPA departments that are heading up this thing, I'd like to see "furlough administration" on that list as well. Fat F-in chance. Welcome to 5 more years in the right seat, or on reserve while the F-in blue hairs keep stuffing themselves...BTW, his United co-pilot story is total B.S.. That guy made over 240k for YEARS and now doesn't have a pot to piss in? To F-ing bad.

To f-ing bad, you think the world must revolve around you and your problems.
Get over it.

 

[redbook]

ferlo wrote:
If he thinks he did a good job appearing to be neutral on this issue he'd be dead wrong. He couldn't crawl any further up Blakey's as*. I don't care how many "blue ribbons" you put on a f-in pig, it's still a pig. Of the 4 ALPA departments that are heading up this thing, I'd like to see "furlough administration" on that list as well. Fat F-in chance. Welcome to 5 more years in the right seat, or on reserve while the F-in blue hairs keep stuffing themselves...BTW, his United co-pilot story is total B.S.. That guy made over 240k for YEARS and now doesn't have a pot to piss in? To F-ing bad.

To f-ing bad, you think the world must revolve around you and your problems.
Get over it.

How about you shut up and leave.

 

[becket]

ferlo wrote:
If he thinks he did a good job appearing to be neutral on this issue he'd be dead wrong. He couldn't crawl any further up Blakey's as*. I don't care how many "blue ribbons" you put on a f-in pig, it's still a pig. Of the 4 ALPA departments that are heading up this thing, I'd like to see "furlough administration" on that list as well. Fat F-in chance. Welcome to 5 more years in the right seat, or on reserve while the F-in blue hairs keep stuffing themselves...BTW, his United co-pilot story is total B.S.. That guy made over 240k for YEARS and now doesn't have a pot to piss in? To F-ing bad.

To f-ing bad, you think the world must revolve around you and your problems.
Get over it.

What's that pot/kettle black thing?

 

[PCL_128]

I support Age 60 wholeheartedly, and was saddened to see the NPRM. But this video seemed quite reasonable. Prater can't just call up Blakey and get the NPRM tossed out. If there is a change, ALPA should have given this some thought (presumably the mission of the blue ribbon panel) so as to be better able to manage the transition and clean up the ensuing mess. Screaming "HELL NO!" nor sticking the union's collective head in the sand is going to generate a positive outcome. Play the cards you're dealt.

But Cardinal, you're using common sense! You can't do that around here. Everyone wants to attack the ALPA President just for the hell of it. Just a couple of months ago after the election, everyone on here was cheering for Captain Prater, claiming he was saving us from the one they termed as "Woerthless." Now, after they have a problem with a single issue, they want to crucify him. Ridiculous.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Sounds like the membership will have to do something new here..... its called getting involved!!

Imagine if you'd been proactive on the issue. It would take less work than trying to convince Prater to change direction.

 

[mdanno808]

To f-ing bad, you think the world must revolve around you and your problems.
Get over it.

Everyone will be basing their decision on how the age 60 thing will affect them. The old guys want the cash at the expense of the junior guys career progression (increased time in the right seat, increased furlough times, etc.), while the junior guys want the old guys out of their seat, even if it means them having to live tight during their retirement. Either way this goes down, someone will get screwed. Don't act like you, or anyone else has the best interest of everyone at heart. According to your profile you're retired, so why get all worked up anyway?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Everyone will be basing their decision on how the age 60 thing will affect them. The old guys want the cash at the expense of the junior guys career progression (increased time in the right seat, increased furlough times, etc.), while the junior guys want the old guys out of their seat, even if it means them having to live tight during their retirement. Either way this goes down, someone will get screwed. Don't act like you, or anyone else has the best interest of everyone at heart. According to your profile you're retired, so why get all worked up anyway?

The hyperbole is all about defending the profession.... until an issue comes up... then everything gets polarized and "whats best for the profession gets thrown by the wayside"

Here is a major problem..... We get too focused on the issues, draw lines in the sand, buld walls and fight each other.... After the issues is put to rest everyone is against everyone and we treat each other as suspect....

 

[BeCareful!]

Dear Captain Prater -


As a currently furloughed major airline pilot I can't possibly express how important it is that the Age 60 rule be protected and left unchanged.

Apparently, the vast majority of ALPA pilots feel this way, and I fully expect you and all of ALPA's leadership to vigorously fight any change in this important standard of the airline piloting career. Every pilot entered this profession knowing what the retirement age was. Lost pensions are one thing, but at the other end of the seniority list there have been furloughs and deep concessions. In many cases, pilots have been forced back to the Regional Airlines and are working for grossly sub-standard wages. To change the Age 60 rule at this critical time would be adding several years to the financial suffering of all pilots who aren't currently at their respective major airline.

Since 2001 we have seen pilots flying more hours (95-and-up) while other pilots are on the street. Scope has been relieved to the point of non-existence. All of this was done so that the senior pilot wouldn't lose everything. Now, those same pilots want to work another five years? At who's expense? You guessed it: the JUNIOR PILOT.

I think ALPA should be focusing its efforts on restoring pensions and fighting a change to the Age 60 rule. That's the most balanced approach to helping EVERY ALPA PILOT; it's also the approach that would foster the most UNITY in this important organization.

Fraternally,

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Apparently, the vast majority of ALPA pilots feel this way,

I don't know if this is true or false... is there a reference that says so?