Let me explain it to you too...
Because Air Line Pilots are not regulatory. So when we need to effect change we have to have unity and strength in numbers.... its called consensus...
If one pilot called his Congressman and said we have to change fatigue policy, he will be asked who are you? The pilot can reply.. We are air line pilots... And he will be asked who is we? The pilot can only reply.. We is me.
However, if you have the President of a professional organization got to Congress and say I represent 60,000 airline pilots.... you will get the attention of the Law makers..
Now, if you really want to get things done ALPA needs to be able to go to Congress and say..we represent ALL airline pilots.
All management has to do is come up with some unsafe scheme at SKYW and ALPA has to spend time and energy to fix it...
Take it to the Int'l level.... ALPA is the only pilot respresntative at ICAO. The APA, IPA, NPA, SWAPA and others are not represented. If two pilot groups were represented it would only create confusion...
All while big changes are going on internationally that will effect all of us.... guess who gets to have a say.
Guys...this isn't difficult to figure out.... except if you have 'me me me' glasses on....
You missed the boat....