AirTran MEC Chair message.

[SWA/FO]

That's a matter of opinion. 6 months after returning from a 5 year furlough, I got a call for an interview at SWA. I declined without a second thought. Life is good.

Was it the Southwest Airlines Draft 2012? Or did you apply? Sounds like you were discovered and they called you out of the blue.

I actually had to apply. I'm not as lucky as you.

Life is full of choices.

 

[Jim]

Was it the Southwest Airlines Draft 2012? Or did you apply? Sounds like you were discovered and they called you out of the blue.

I actually had to apply. I'm not as lucky as you.

Life is full of choices.

I applied a couple of years before while on furlough. I guess it took that long for them to notice my app.

 

[Skyboy722]

That's a matter of opinion. 6 months after returning from a 5 year furlough, I got a call for an interview at SWA. I declined without a second thought. Life is good.

So I guess the five year furlough didn't bother you, huh?

 

[PCL_128]

Come on? Firing them?? Good luck with that one.

Apparently you aren't familiar with agency shop provisions in a CBA. Yes, if they don't pay their dues, the contract says they get fired. ALPA takes it seriously. Freeloaders are not allowed to go unchecked.

 

[Kermit_D_Frog]

I applied a couple of years before while on furlough. I guess it took that long for them to notice my app.

Your stuff wouldn't have stayed active in the system for "a couple of years." You are lying.

 

[dh82dvr]

Apparently you aren't familiar with agency shop provisions in a CBA. Yes, if they don't pay their dues, the contract says they get fired. ALPA takes it seriously. Freeloaders are not allowed to go unchecked.

The CBA might say you have to pay, but does it make it right? Shouldn't you get a choice? If you did then unions would have to ensure they provide a service that is worth paying for. So the freeloaders are exercising their right to say I don't like what you are selling.

:beer:

 

[rjfo]

Apparently you aren't familiar with agency shop provisions in a CBA. Yes, if they don't pay their dues, the contract says they get fired. ALPA takes it seriously. Freeloaders are not allowed to go unchecked.

Who fires them? ALPA or southwest. I don't think belonging to a union is a requirement for the job. Maybe they lose their spot on the seniority list, but who will enforce it?

 

[Andy]

Apparently you aren't familiar with agency shop provisions in a CBA. Yes, if they don't pay their dues, the contract says they get fired. ALPA takes it seriously. Freeloaders are not allowed to go unchecked.

Yes, you can be terminated for failure to pay dues. And my understanding is that ALPA is pretty aggressive about doing so.

... which brings me to something that happened to me when I returned to work at an ALPA carrier after being furloughed in 2009 thanks to age 65 which was supported/pushed through Congress by ALPA.
I got a letter from ALPA claiming that they 'audited' my pay from 2008 and that I underpaid dues by ~$50. BS! I've checked my pay and there's never been a shortfall in the amount taken out for ALPA. I complained to ALPA and it's still under review. IF ALPA decides that I still owe the money, I will be forced to pay it due to the fact that they can terminate my employment. If they opt for that course of action, I will be suing ALPA in small claims court for the maximum amount possible.
I am soooo sick of ALPA.

 

[Jim]

Your stuff wouldn't have stayed active in the system for "a couple of years." You are lying.

I filled out the online SWA app around the middle of my furlough. I updated it a few times while still on furlough. I got recalled in Jan. 2008 and a call to interview from SWA in late spring/early summer 2008.

If you think I'm lying, that's your prerogative. I really don't care. The point is that there are airlines other than SWA that people are happy to work for and where it is fun. I'm sorry that some people just can't understand or accept that.

 

[Jim]

So I guess the five year furlough didn't bother you, huh?

No, it bothered me. But Hawaiian was always my first choice of airline and where I wanted to be. I was always planning on coming back no matter who hired me while I was on furlough.