126 day left of Prater.....

[Boxboy]

Can't make the budget, then fix what you pay people.

The ALPA President should make the averge of the three LOWEST airlines, rather than the three highest, and eliminate all the perks.

That'd put some perspective in the office....

Nu

Exactly!
Where were these clowns when dudes were losing their pensions and taking enormous paycuts?!?! They were still living it up in 4/5 star hotels and feasting on 8 course meals on our backs. Instead of the usual $500k/yr, didn't Prater agree to keep his ALPA paycheck the same as he would a Continental captain in his seniority/equipment? That didn't happen! But then again, when was the last time that we had a real leader, let alone in this country?

 

[Flopgut]

In Praters defense....

He had the worst economic recession ever, a president who "won't allow airline strikes on my watch", an industry that turned to a judge instead of solving their own problems........

Yes, but that can also create opportunity. Pendulems swing. He should have ALPA better positioned to capture increase now. But he can't, because he traded every bit of ALPA's real political capital for age 65. He hasn't gotten anything done since then.

He just needs to go back to the line. I kind of like Moak, but I think he wants to be an airline CEO.... Jay Pierce would be good but we really need him at CAL/UAL>

 

[wms]

Yes, but that can also create opportunity. Pendulems swing. He should have ALPA better positioned to capture increase now. But he can't, because he traded every bit of ALPA's real political capital for age 65. He hasn't gotten anything done since then.

He just needs to go back to the line. I kind of like Moak, but I think he wants to be an airline CEO.... Jay Pierce would be good but we really need him at CAL/UAL>

Looks like ALPA is just DAL and UAL with FEDEX. And mostly regionals and some international carriers.

 

[whatitdoing?]

Bye Bye PRATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PCL_128]

Under his watch, AirTran is now ALPA. Although some of my fellow pilots might disagree, it has been a night and day difference from our in house union to ALPA.

Please don't give him the credit for that. Far too many AirTran pilots, ALPA staffers, and ALPA volunteers from other airlines worked their tails off to make that happen. They are the reason that we have been so successful at turning things around as a new ALPA carrier, not the current ALPA President.

I have been known to defend John quite frequently, and many people here have even claimed that I'm somehow on his "payroll." Nothing could be further from the truth. I've defended John because he has been our President. Like it or not, he's the guy that we've had for nearly four years. To attack him and demean him over these past few years would have been counter-produtive to accomplishing our goals as a profession. But the time has come for a change. This just isn't working. We need an ALPA President who knows how Washington works. We need an ALPA President who knows how things work at ICAO and at IFALPA. We need an ALPA President who knows how to keep pilots together, instead of watching them flee the Association like a bunch of rats fleeing a sinking ship. We've lost thousands of active members over the past four years. Thousands! We've lost them not only due to furlough (caused mainly by Age 65, his pet project), but also due to poor leadership that has resulted in the loss of three carriers to decertification, including a legacy carrier.

This is not a record to be proud of, guys. And despite this, his campaign letter is a veritable trumpeting of "stay the course." I'm sorry, but staying the course is not a valid option. Time for something new. Time for someone who knows what they're doing. Time for someone with some real experience.

Paul Rice announced his candidacy for ALPA President a couple of weeks ago. He is, without question, the best candidate for the job. He has the knowledge, experience, and temperament to lead this union back to a position of strength. Please tell your reps to cast a vote for Paul in October.

 

[Flopgut]

PCL: I agree with everything you've said. But I think there will be one other candidate throw in for this from a freight carrier we should take a look at.

 

[vetrider]

Under his watch, AirTran is now ALPA. Although some of my fellow pilots might disagree, it has been a night and day difference from our in house union to ALPA.

And if you merge with anyone he deems more worthy than you he'll ******************** you.

 

[PCL_128]

PCL: I agree with everything you've said. But I think there will be one other candidate throw in for this from a freight carrier we should take a look at.

Are you talking about their current MEC Chair? If so, I'd disagree. If not, please send a PM.

 

[BeCareful!]

Couldn't agree more with the original poster. Prater is a spineless political slug, and he's not done anything to write home about. Age 65 came to us with no creative solutions to help the junior pilot at any airline. His handling of the USAir merger was pathetic, no matter which side of that fence you sit on.

Good luck to all ALPA pilots finding a true leader to replace him. It will do the profession good if you can pull it off. (Rice ain't the answer, IMO)

 

[vetrider]

Couldn't agree more with the original poster. Prater is a spineless political slug, and he's not done anything to write home about. Age 65 came to us with no creative solutions to help the junior pilot at any airline. His handling of the USAir merger was pathetic, no matter which side of that fence you sit on.

Good luck to all ALPA pilots finding a true leader to replace him. It will do the profession good if you can pull it off. (Rice ain't the answer, IMO)

He tried to ******************** us on the west, and then pissed the east off when he couldn't do anything for them, minus the west just flat out rolling over. What a guy.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

PCL: I agree with everything you've said. But I think there will be one other candidate throw in for this from a freight carrier we should take a look at.

We are big boys... name names!

 

[Flopgut]

Well, I can't remember.... It's not the MEC chair. Starts with an S I think. I don't think I'm a Paul Rice fan. Who do you like to replace John?

 

[bluefin]

GOOD BYE!!! Cut the pay to my level, "0" in ten yrs being with ALPA I have been furloughed for 7 of them and counting. If you want to do the job because you want to help the industry, then pay should not matter!!!

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Couldn't agree more with the original poster. Prater is a spineless political slug, and he's not done anything to write home about. Age 65 came to us with no creative solutions to help the junior pilot at any airline. His handling of the USAir merger was pathetic, no matter which side of that fence you sit on.

Good luck to all ALPA pilots finding a true leader to replace him. It will do the profession good if you can pull it off. (Rice ain't the answer, IMO)

Hate to pile on but I was visiting back home a couple of weeks ago where Prater just happens to be from. I noticed he wrote a letter to the newspaper praising a state law maker, Jay Hoffman, about something he had done (can't even remember what) but it was somehow related to the biz and Prater signed it as President of ALPA. That's all good and well but Hoffman was former IL guv and all around corrupt thug politician Rod Blagojevich's "right hand man". You will know them by the company they keep.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

Prater=Age 65 and there is no spin on that simple equation.

Case closed.

 

[PCL_128]

Well, I can't remember.... It's not the MEC chair. Starts with an S I think.

You talking about Sean McDonald? He's apparently running for VP-Finance, not President. The MEC Chair is rumored to be considering running, but I can't imagine that he has much support. He's very new in his current position.

I don't think I'm a Paul Rice fan.

You don't think? Why?

 

[Flopgut]

You talking about Sean McDonald? He's apparently running for VP-Finance, not President. The MEC Chair is rumored to be considering running, but I can't imagine that he has much support. He's very new in his current position.



You don't think? Why?

No. My EVP spoke of this guy that might run. He's currently under the radar for most of us. I'm sorry I can't remember his name, I bet you know him.....

Paul Rice=Another baby boomer gen type and I've had about enough of them. They seem to feel that what they went through early in their careers was the hardest times ever and it's just not the case. Most of them have their fair share already but just can't help but try to carve out more for themselves. I don't dislike him particuliarly, but there has to be somebody better.

I'd like to see somebody solid out of one of the regionals before PR.... Or maybe even a first choice? There has to be some talent out there....

 

[PCL_128]

No. My EVP spoke of this guy that might run. He's currently under the radar for most of us. I'm sorry I can't remember his name, I bet you know him.....

I think I know who you're talking about. If so, then he's not running.

Paul Rice=Another baby boomer gen type and I've had about enough of them. They seem to feel that what they went through early in their careers was the hardest times ever and it's just not the case. Most of them have their fair share already but just can't help but try to carve out more for themselves. I don't dislike him particuliarly, but there has to be somebody better.

You couldn't be more wrong about Paul. He is not another Prater. Far from it. You can't lump everyone from the same age group into the same category. I hope you do some more research once the candidates really start campaigning. If you do, I'm confident that your opinion will change about him.

 

[dicko]

Under his watch, AirTran is now ALPA. Although some of my fellow pilots might disagree, it has been a night and day difference from our in house union to ALPA.

I think most people would actually agree with you.

Unfortunately the flipside is this; Under his watch AirTran is the first ALPA airline to allow 86 seat RJ's in our scope.

The second, if you include USAir. However I heard that some of them may not be ALPA anymore

 

[Flopgut]

You couldn't be more wrong about Paul. He is not another Prater. Far from it. You can't lump everyone from the same age group into the same category. I hope you do some more research once the candidates really start campaigning. If you do, I'm confident that your opinion will change about him.

Is it not correct that Paul lives just a few miles outside the distance from Herndon that stipulates he get a large allowance for additional housing? In other words, he games the system? Not that that is totally bad, but maybe we can try somebody else.....