Just like each version of this, I'll read it, seek info from people smarter than me (meaning alot of people), then I'll vote.
Can't ask for more than that. I'm just ecstatic guys will really READ it this time, and not just buy whatever comes out of the NPA's mouth at the road shows.
Ask the hard questions!
Rich, I'll thank you in advance for the hard work and hours you'll be putting into examining this latest version, but I disagree with the concept of voting one way or the other before actually looking at the product.
I understand exactly what you mean. The only reason I say that is because Scope is a personal hot-button topic of mine and I've verified that there are no changes to what was in there from the last (version 4) of the T.A. that came out last week.
Therefore: Yes, yes, no, without needing to read much more. I'm just not interested in concessions in ANY department, for ANY seniority group of pilots, for ANY reasons.
But I won't ask you to do anything until you read it. Then I'll come back and bug you again... k? :beer:
*Please don't try to convince me otherwise, that would be like trying to convince me to be a Browns' or Ravens' fan.
Ummm... that would be a No.
But I might sneak a Cowboys sticker into your kit bag when you're not looking (won't actually put it on the bag, just a hint).
I wonder if unlimited turbo props is still in there?
Yes, it is. Along with unlimited 50-seaters, 50-79 seaters being capped by ASM's (around 40 or so at current fleet size) plus 25 79-86 seaters means they could run about 100 or so RJ's and Q-400's if they really wanted to.
Don't see it happening now, especially with gate space at a premium in ATL, but in our future expansion, especially with a mid-western base? You betcha, and I don't think that's more than a couple 2 or 3 years away at most.
If we started a push for ALPA I'd be all for it. They worked better at my previous carrier.....A REGIONAL!!! This Union is no match for our management. We need experience and resources and political clout to get taken seriously. I realize some people don't like/hate ALPA but I have to ask....how much worse can it get? You gonna tell me that with ALPA on property we'd get pushed around by management as much as we do with this Union?
And it may come to that. Seriously.
Do some reading back on my posts, you'll see some of the angst I've had with them in the past, but a couple things to bear in mind.
1. ALPA has rules. The kind that the current NPA leadership is breaking left and right. The kind of rule-breaking that makes us angry. There would be none of that with ALPA in-house.
2. ALPA isn't a fix-all. It still depends largely on WHO YOU ELECT to LEAD the pilots and how willing you are to get involved. Unions don't run themselves, they require pilots doing the right things EVERY DAY, including showing up for picketing events when called. You have to get involved in your own career.
So choose very, very wisely who you want to succeed Allen. If you want ALPA on property, make sure you find a candidate who would work to make that happen IF the pilot group as a MAJORITY wanted it.
If you want action and support, pick a pilot who's going to be in the office every day or have the office staffed every day with someone who can answer questions and back you up 24/7.
If you want to trust the union, pick a pilot who's going to push for changes to the bylaws that make ALL the union officials ACCOUNTABLE to YOU, the LINE PILOT. Sure, it'll make it more difficult to do the day-to-day work of the NPA, but it's WORTH IT to have the TRUST and SOLIDARITY OF YOUR PILOTS!
The current NPA has missed that basic tenant of Leadership. Be accountable, be transparent, be available, be reliable, and you will engender trust and faith.
Vote well, my friends. Vote well...
