No. Everybody liked Prater until he stopped listening to the general membership on age 65.
I wasn't happy about the change in policy, either, but let's be honest: the membership was almost split. It was a majority in favor of keeping the change, but only by a very slim margin, and most of the pilots didn't even participate in the online poll.
If someone says they are gonna represent me they had better do it or get the Hell out of the way. I really don't like it when people tell me they are gonna do something and then do completely the opposite behind my back.
He did no such thing. He was very open about his opinion from the very beginning. The following is an excerpt from one of Captain Prater's campaign mailings that were sent to me and the rest of the BOD in 2006 before the vote:
While I believe that my personal opinion on the issue is not germane to the BOD’s policy decision, many members have asked me my view. I believe the basis of the safety foundation for ALPA’s present policy has been eroded and believe the ICAO standard should and will be adopted by the FAA. It is our job to take advantage of any law or rule change and ensure our members receive increased contractual and legislative guarantees.
Prater has got to go.
First rule of a recall: always have a replacement lined up. Who is your proposed replacement? Who can do a better job? Is it in the membership's best interest to replace the ALPA president in mid-stream? He has two years left until his term is up. Would it not be better to allow him to just finish his term before you start calling for a replacement?