Another cheap shot from the ALPA cheerleading section......
Sorry, but it is true, not a cheap shot.
So tell me Speedtape, can anyone become a doctor or a lawyer in 11 months by enrolling in a puppy farm in Florida? Why not? Why is it harder to enroll in medical school and law school? Why does it take longer? Maybe, just maybe, the AMA and ABA has done better at controlling the entry requirements....
First, your argument compares apples to oranges, but the answer is NO! But since you asked, the last time I applied to Medical School, my GPA, from a required
prerequisite undergraduate program, and my MCat scores were used to evaluate my eligibility to proceed with the application process. Doctors on the School Board ran the interviews and admissions process. Yes, school admissions are controlled and limited, and so are the number of medical schools. It also helps if your Daddy is a Doctor--really.
The last time I applied to Law School, my GPA and LSAT score were used to determine a composite score in the admission process. I did not have to interview, but a board made up of law professors and administrators determined successful candidates. Although admissions are limited, there are a lot of law schools. FYI, quite a few ASA pilots make more than the average lawyer. You are one of them.
When I got my ratings, I took the required ground schools and then the tests for the written portion. I paid for flight instruction for the mechanical and technical part. I was tested by either the FAA or FAA designee pilots. All it really took was MONEY, some average motor skills, and a small amount of brain power. No college is required. In fact, I don't think you even have to have a high school education. You just have to speak and read English, and have about $60 G's.
You say that the "FAA determines the standards for pilot certification and ratings" Your implication is that ALPA can't influence those standards.... If that is so, then why all the fuss over age 60 and ALPA's position.... Why did ALPA oppose it initially, then support it, and now oppose it again.....
ALPA can influence. ALPA cannot dictate or set the standards.
The age 60 rule change initiative was advanced by the FAA through the process of Rules Making. Apparently, parallel to that initiative, both the House and Senate were advancing legislation to make the change. It's my understanding, that due to some hearing procedures, and since there is going to be a change, that ALPA could not have a seat at the table to influence, since their long standing position was in opposition to the change. Seeing that change was eminent, ALPA, had to convince it's membership that the only way that ALPA could have a seat at the table was to change it's official position in opposition. Surely, you understand and know the politics in this matter.
As usual, you argument doesn't hold water.....
With all due respect, check your spelling. However, as usual, just because you say it's so, doesn't make it a fact.
As to the PFT argument, I held out for a year back in '93 and all it did was cost me some seniority....That was my first lesson that it doesn't pay to hold out....
Hmmm! I want hold that against you. We all got here in different ways. And to your defense, that was the requirement then. But for participating or more directly patronizing that system, along with others, did you not perpetuate that onerous method?
If ALPA was serious about stopping the slide, it would do something about the dangerously low entry requirements..... until then it proves that this union has no teeth.....
