For Those About to Vote/Not Vote ALPA At SkyWest...

[120% Torque]

SAPA MEETING MINUTES
March 20-21, 2003
Los Angeles, California
PRESENTATION: Dave Benjamin presented his SAPA Legal Plan outline as follows:
Why Do We Need To Offer A Legal Plan?

• • • • A typical enforcement action can cost upwards of $15K
      • Overzealous FAA personnel pursue unwarranted cases
      • TSA has ominous powers that exceed those of FAA
      • Lawyer may be needed to deal with Aeromedical Branch
      • SkyWest Pilots have expressed interest in legal protection

What Will A Legal Plan Cost SkyWest Pilots?

• • • • $2.00/week, less than what we spend on a Starbucks coffee. Estimate based on 2/3 pilot participation

Why Should We Use Rusty Allman As Our Attorney?

• • • • Rusty is one of the top aviation attorneys in the US
      • Rusty has flown the line as a pilot for PSA and US Air
      • 15 years of legal experience
      • 5 years of experience chairing grievance committee
      • Handled 100's of grievances and recovered $30M +
      • NMB hired Rusty to design a Mediation Training Program
      • Successful mediation experience at Airborne Express
      • Recently assisted Southwest pilots with interim contract

What Will Rusty Allman Provide For SkyWest Pilots?

• • • • Representation for FAA enforcement proceedings
      • Representation for NTSB appeals and hearings
      • Representation for Medical Certificate actions
      • Representation company disciplinary measures

What About Accident Scene Access?

• • • • We may be able to have Rusty considered a party to investigation

Could Some Funds Go Toward Neutral 3rd Party Arbitration?

• • • • We are looking into supporting the proposed SP 325 in this manner. We can probably establish a similar retainer to fund 50% of third party arbitration to facilitate the new SP 325.

Is There Any Reason Not To Move Ahead With This Plan Now?

Got to give credit to Dave Benjamin for putting together a compelling presentation for this legal plan. Unfortunately, it seems most of the Sapa reps seem to want to sabotage it and muddy the waters with speculative conjecture. Why do they resist something like this that makes so much sense? I believe once again it comes down to a control and accountability issue.

 

[120% Torque]

At least one Board member will provide a bi-weekly update to all Reps. The information contained in these updates is at the discretion of the Board, but must include the dates and general topics of any formal meetings with Flight Operations or Executive Management.
At least one Board member will provide a monthly update to all Members. The information will be at the discretion of the Board, but must include the dates and general topics of any formal meetings with Flight Operations or Executive Management.
The Secretary will make available the general meeting agenda no later than the day prior to any meeting, and will make available minutes no later than one week after the day of any meeting.
Reps. will make a diligent and reasonable effort to maintain a board in their respective hubs/domiciles, which contains printed copies of SAPA emails/postings.

How often do these happen?

 

[120% Torque]

Finaly, just to recap, how effective is Sapa in getting ANYTHING of real significance done for this pilot group? Do they listen and execute or do they get hostile if questioned about accountability? Many observers have noted a heavy offensive put together by Sapa, especially when a group of their frustrated constituents, feeling unrepresented, start shopping for different representation (i.e. ALPA, Certify Sapa, UPA, etc). If Sapa had been doing good things and were effective, all they would have to do is simply list their accomplishments and point to their track record. Unfortunately for Sapa and us line pilots that cannot be done. Sapa has such a miserable track record when the facts and only the facts are reviewed during the past six years that anybody with any amount of intelligence must see something wrong here. Why do they preach doom and gloom to us and try to get us to buy off on really ridiculous and might I say industry damaging agreements when Skywest is more profitable (and I don’t want to hear the margin argument again) than they have ever been?!

I’m not sure if Sapa goes on the attack more to create a smoke screen away from their own lack of effectiveness or they just have such a disdain for the people who threaten their non flying lifestyle for example and other future benefits? It should be noted that across the years there most certainly has been a clear pattern of Sapa reps becoming management. I expect this trend will continue as long as Sapa is in existence. After all, who pays Sapa directly, who has the power to put them in future management positions and who ultimately do they seem to answer to. Please look at the record, thoughtfully consider every detail and what you hear coming out of Sapa reps mouths and decide for yourself how well you are being represented.

 

[goahead]

Go get laid man

 

[120% Torque]

Go get laid man

Your funny. Crawl back under your Gojets CRJ "Heavy" and dissapear! Some of us would like to see some accountability and change in this industry, but its easier to make some cute remark on a message board and hope things somehow mysteriously change for the better on their own. Worthless!

 

[rtmcfi]

Wow, that was alot of work. Well done!

 

[JoeMerchant]

Your funny. Crawl back under your Gojets CRJ "Heavy" and dissapear! Some of us would like to see some accountability and change in this industry, but its easier to make some cute remark on a message board and hope things somehow mysteriously change for the better on their own. Worthless!

Some of us would like to see "some accountability and change in this industry" also, but sadly ALPA has proven that it isn't up to the challenge. I believe an in house union that combines the ASA and Skywest pilots under one seniority list, is the best course of action.....

SAPA clearly isn't the solution...... and neither is ALPA......

 

[outtahere]

Do some of you Skywest folks finally see the light. This guy obviously does, good job.

 

[outtahere]

Joe, you suck!

 

[rightseatjocky]

Joe, Sorry I don't want to merge with skywest. Yes, I do miss Salt Lake though. I would love to be flying back on the west coast.
If I had my choice, I would love to be owned by Delta again. Just a thought.