usapa-vote authorized-''thestreet'' -2/20/08

[4defers]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pilots at US Airways (LCC - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) are headed toward an election that could oust the Air Line Pilots Association as their union representative, in a particularly timely example of what can happen when there is no agreement on the seniority list in an airline merger.
On Tuesday, the National Mediation Board said it has authorized an election among the approximately 5,300 US Airways pilots. The board responded to an application filed by the US Airline Pilots Association that was supported by about 3,200 signature cards.
While the NMB has not yet set a date, an election could occur as soon as next month, said USAPA spokesman Scott Theuer.
"We are gratified to know that the US Airways pilots will finally be afforded an opportunity to select a new collective bargaining agent," said USAPA President Stephen Bradford, in a prepared statement. ALPA spokesman Peter Janhunen said the 76-year-old union remains the best solution for all US Airways pilots. He called the division in the pilot group "tragic" and said joint negotiations on a new contract offers the best outcome for all parties. "US Airways pilots are losing out" because their attention has been diverted, he said.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Lots of Pilots on these boards complain and complain and complain about ALPA....

Well...here's the result. ALPA could very well be gone from the ALPA stable...and the dues could go up for those that stay...just to keep the budget under control.

 

[TurboAWD]

I understand why the US Air pilots are angry. For many of them their career has been one screw job after another. And perhaps their reps (that they voted for, if they PARTICIPATED in their elections) didn't do the best job.

But it wasn't "ALPA" that screwed them. It's time to move on. USAPA won't make things better for anyone, and will be a loss for the profession.

PLEASE don't let bitterness, anger, and disappointment interfere with logic when you vote on this important issue.

I wish all the best to the west and east guys. You are overdue for a break.

Turbo

 

[ALGFLYR]

I understand why the US Air pilots are angry. For many of them their career has been one screw job after another. And perhaps their reps (that they voted for, if they PARTICIPATED in their elections) didn't do the best job.

But it wasn't "ALPA" that screwed them. It's time to move on. USAPA won't make things better for anyone, and will be a loss for the profession.

PLEASE don't let bitterness, anger, and disappointment interfere with logic when you vote on this important issue.

I wish all the best to the west and east guys. You are overdue for a break.

Turbo

USAPA all the way!!!

 

[wjpilot]

USAPA all the way!!!

Whatever

 

[mcjohn]

I'm seeing the USAPA tags and bright yellow things on most all of the Airways guys in CLT.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this. It will be devastating to ALPA and raise dues for everyone I imagine. Guess the Airway guys are ready to see someone else take it up the ass for a change. Can't say I blame them. It's gonna hurt though.

 

[Redmeat]

Lots of Pilots on these boards complain and complain and complain about ALPA....

Well...here's the result. ALPA could very well be gone from the ALPA stable...and the dues could go up for those that stay...just to keep the budget under control.

Good. Because of age 65, I say fugem!!!

 

[RedDogC130]

Whatever

Got to love little regional guys drinking kool-aid. Like the new guys in a frat house....say something bad about them and they start to get upset.

I personally think that each airline should have their own internal unions such as SWA and AA. How can a huge union such as ALPA represent all these airlines that compete against each other and when merge treat each group fairly. Don't even start on the RJs at one company and screw the mainline who had jets on the route. ALPA is business that is all. They want the money....then let the chips fall. When is the last time since 9/11 has ALPA done something good for this industry with regards to all the airlines they represent.

Go for it USAIR guys....get your own in house and make your home the way you want it.

 

[jke406]

...and the dues could go up for those that stay...just to keep the budget under control.

Although I'm no ALPA fan, they will probably save a ton of money if US Air bails out.

I can only imagine how much money ALPA is dumping in to the campaign at US Air.

 

[SaturnPilot]

I personally think that each airline should have their own internal unions such as SWA and AA. How can a huge union such as ALPA represent all these airlines that compete against each other and when merge treat each group fairly. Don't even start on the RJs at one company and screw the mainline who had jets on the route

Well, since each ALPA airline COMPLETELY governs themselves, there is no conflict of interest. When the Airways MEC makes decisions, there is no "big ALPA man" who comes down from national and says, "no no, you can't do that....that would be bad for MESA". ALPA airlines already have their own internal unions...they just have a common logo.

When is the last time since 9/11 has ALPA done something good for this industry.

well, they give your union countless amounts of advice, which your "independent" union PAYS ALPA for.

How about the FFDO program, preventing Bush's attempts at foreign ownership and open skies, preventing the McCain-Lott bill that would have ELIMINATED our right to strike and decimated our profession, etc. I'm sure USAPA-PAC would have been able to conquer all of those challenges though.

 

[jke406]

Maybe USAPA would do better representing the majority of its membership than ALPA did on Age 65.

They certainly can do no worse.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I personally think that each airline should have their own internal unions such as SWA and AA.

Both SWAPA and APA buy services from ALPA. Without ALPA, your inhouse union would be weaker.

How can a huge union such as ALPA represent all these airlines that compete against each other and when merge treat each group fairly.

How can the 50 States function as a union? Who does the Federal gov't think they are?

Besides, what does SWAPA do on CapHill? What are you doing as a member of SWAPA to make the profession of Air Line Pilots better?

Or are you just about you and your little niche?

Don't even start on the RJs at one company and screw the mainline who had jets on the route. ALPA is business that is all.

Then what is SWAPA? I suggest you guys get involved. Your domestic biz model is cute, but the international aviation market is going to hit you like a tsnumani in less than 10 years, maybe five. Your politically effectiveness in the national scence is weak... and non existent in the intrnational scene.

The low cost model being copied world wide is NOT SWA. Its Europe's Ryan Air... and you cannot compete with that....

They want the money....then let the chips fall. When is the last time since 9/11 has ALPA done something good for this industry with regards to all the airlines they represent.

You wanna play that game...?? when was the last time the US military did anything since WWII? I say that to get you to think... not to dis the MIL.

I don't need the DOD to report all the activity they are doing to let me know my tax dollars are giving me a return on my national security investment...

ALPA, Int'l does more for you as a SWA pilot than you know.

I suggest

www.IFALPA.org

www.ALPA.org you might not have member access, but you can see the public site

www.ttd.org

Go for it USAIR guys....get your own in house and make your home the way you want it.

Just like the SWAPA guys.... don't worry...when the international market forces (aka the wolf) blows down your straw house... you can stay in the bricks....

my point? ALPA isn't better... in fact we need everyone working together to keep the profession. The in houses unions and ALPA need to figure how to work together... not seperate....

 

[flygirlqt]

I personally think that each airline should have their own internal unions such as SWA and AA. How can a huge union such as ALPA represent all these airlines that compete against each other and when merge treat each group fairly. Don't even start on the RJs at one company and screw the mainline who had jets on the route. ALPA is business that is all. They want the money....then let the chips fall. When is the last time since 9/11 has ALPA done something good for this industry with regards to all the airlines they represent.

I think that is a perfect description of the main problem with ALPA. But one step further, there is no business on the planet that has guaranteed income no matter how poorly they treat their customers.

No matter what ALPA does, they are guaranteed their income therefore no need to change their ways. The only way ALPA will actually change is when they actually have to worry about earning their dues rather than relying on mandatory payments or you lose your job.

There needs to be a radical overhaul of the association before it is to late. They are disenfranchising to many pilots.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Guess the Airway guys are ready to see someone else take it up the ass for a change. Can't say I blame them. It's gonna hurt though.

So they choose the AWA pilots?

I can't see how such a poorly thought out and executed idea as USAPA can exist long-term.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I think that is a perfect description of the main problem with ALPA. But one step further, there is no business on the planet that has guaranteed income no matter how poorly they treat their customers.

Actually, each MEC is its own in house union. Take the UASIAR guys.... they controlled thier own fate. Were advised not to by ALPA Nat'l and now... who gets blamed... ALPA National.

You love to hate ALPA Nat'l over age 60. If ALPA national didn't exist... how would age 60 have gone down?

No matter what ALPA does, they are guaranteed their income therefore no need to change their ways. The only way ALPA will actually change is when they actually have to worry about earning their dues rather than relying on mandatory payments or you lose your job.

Wrong...again. ALPA is getting a wake up call right now with USAPA.... its not the money.. its the effectiveness.. perhaps you can tie to the money to effectiveness...

Their are oganziatinal problems and old school mindset problems at ALPA.... but that is not all..and if you focus on that..... things will never change...

There needs to be a radical overhaul of the association before it is to late. They are disenfranchising to many pilots.

Agreed... what are you willing to do to help protect the profession?

 

[Wiskey Driver]

The real sad part about this is that the company is going to give usapa should they win a very rude awakening. I have this from the highest source. Usapa will have been a huge waste of time and pilots money AGAIN!

WD.

 

[Deadalus]

USAPA all the way!!!

All the way off the cliff, moron.

 

[Deadalus]

Got to love little regional guys drinking kool-aid. Like the new guys in a frat house....say something bad about them and they start to get upset.

I personally think that each airline should have their own internal unions such as SWA and AA. How can a huge union such as ALPA represent all these airlines that compete against each other and when merge treat each group fairly. Don't even start on the RJs at one company and screw the mainline who had jets on the route. ALPA is business that is all. They want the money....then let the chips fall. When is the last time since 9/11 has ALPA done something good for this industry with regards to all the airlines they represent.

Go for it USAIR guys....get your own in house and make your home the way you want it.

If their intentions were pure I'd agree. They're doing this to overturn the seniority decision, something that can't be overturned. A lot of lawyers are going to make a lot of money though.

 

[Tomct]

Stupid east guys wasting more time and money over something that will NEVER CHANGE!! Get over it you jackAzzes, focus on getting a better contract instead of wasting everyone's time with this LAME UNION attempt that will do nothing but end up BAD!
You idiots do realize that Parker is laughing all the way home right? Stupid Azzes!

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

All the way off the cliff, moron.

exactly! fdx has been down this road...assessments galore and no war chest...the company will drain this union quickly....these guys are already 30 cents away from a quarter...good luck!