ALPA Membership

[Vrefus]

It's correct to say that it depends on the state that determines whether it's mandatory or an option to join a union. I believe in FL for instance it's called the Sunshine Law where it is optional. Here in NC it is also optional but if you choose not to join there are still dues or service charge deducted from your paycheck.

The first year that you are with the company and in the union, you pay nothing as an apprentice. In saying this, you are also ineligible to vote on union matters or hold office in the union. As your probationary period is up, the local membership votes you in to the union, if you've kept your nose clean. It's rare to have someone not voted in especially if they've made it through probation.

As for being a member, I don't see the benefits in not being a member unless you are adamantly opposed philosophically to union practices. They do offer excellent services at times. But, lastly, the union is only as good as your local chapter called the LEC and your local MEC. That's where the ball starts to roll.

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

Do they throw pizza parties for the new hires at your airline?

 

[Freebrd]

mmm pizza!

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

Ask the guys who were with AirTran how ALPA worked out for them, it was a money grab as usual by ALPA and they continued to milk the pilots until the final day without helping them.
I had a friend flying for Ryan Int. and when FedEx got the postal contract they were furloughed and ALPA continued to send out demand letters for dues. They again did nothing to help the little people - just send them money

 

[PCL_128]

I was at AirTran, and ALPA got me a massive pay raise. I'd say it worked pretty well.

 

[twepilot]

Barf.....

 

[Kharma Police]

The turd in the urinal at the ATL Renaissance hotel during the SWAPA party for Airtran ALPA personifies ALPA. Nothing but a nasty laughable turd in the airline industry that spoils the party, does little good and has to be cleaned up.

 

[redflyer65]

Turd in the punch bowl. Stay classy ALPA!

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

PCL,
The only reason you got a big pay raise was because SWA bough AT, How could you get a big pay raise if you left the SWA? or are you now drinking the SWA cool aid, hard to compare SWA rates to Walmart's

 

[Kharma Police]

PCL,
The only reason you got a big pay raise was because SWA bough AT, How could you get a big pay raise if you left the SWA? or are you now drinking the SWA cool aid, hard to compare SWA rates to Walmart's

True, but sadly SWAPA doesn't understand that just like with Airtran, we will get a contract when Gary decides it's time.

 

[redflyer65]

True, but sadly SWAPA doesn't understand that just like with Airtran, we will get a contract when Gary decides it's time.

I'd prefer to wait compared to ALPA bloviating about how they are going to stay strong with an awesome contract (reference the DALPA President video) and then dropping a TA turd.

 

[PCL_128]

PCL,
The only reason you got a big pay raise was because SWA bough AT

You might be able to convince your fellow SWAholes of that ignorant rhetoric, but it won't work on someone who was there negotiating the deal, you dolt.

 

[Tripower455]

I'd prefer to wait compared to ALPA bloviating about how they are going to stay strong with an awesome contract (reference the DALPA President video) and then dropping a TA turd.

Me too.


Unfortunately this has been SWApA's game plan since, forever.....

Get ready to vote YES! for codeshare, errr, "interline" and "market rates"!

 

[Kharma Police]

You might be able to convince your fellow SWAholes of that ignorant rhetoric, but it won't work on someone who was there negotiating the deal, you dolt.

You don't find it the least bit coincidental that we got a contract shortly after SWA bought us after years of foot dragging?

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

PCL - great negotiating skills round 1 "Say No" round 2 please everyone "Say Yes"
I didn't know you were an ALPA lackey

 

[PCL_128]

You don't find it the least bit coincidental that we got a contract shortly after SWA bought us after years of foot dragging?

It wasn't years of foot dragging. It was 18 months of significant progress, and we were almost done by the time SWA came around. Before the merger came around, we were already expecting to either be finished or be released within a few months. If you don't want to believe me, ask any of the NC members.

 

[Kharma Police]

It wasn't years of foot dragging. It was 18 months of significant progress, and we were almost done by the time SWA came around. Before the merger came around, we were already expecting to either be finished or be released within a few months. If you don't want to believe me, ask any of the NC members.

It was little to no progress, the sections TAed had to do with hot button issues like pilots being taken hostage by terrorists, how long we can grow our fingernails and what color socks we could wear. We got a contract because SW management ordered it so. Kolski or whoever replaced him would still be running circles around the NC and the ALPA mouth breather lawyers if we hadn't been bought. I understand you have your version of the truth, that's cool, but you still haven't answered why we magically got a contract shortly after we were purchased.

 

[PCL_128]

I have answered it. You simply refuse to accept facts, and instead want to listen to bullsh!t from people who weren't there. The contract was almost finished in a marathon bargaining session in Florida several months before the merger was even announced. Very few items were left after that. The idea that we had only TA'd minor items is pure ignorance. You just don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Kharma Police]

I have answered it. You simply refuse to accept facts, and instead want to listen to bullsh!t from people who weren't there. The contract was almost finished in a marathon bargaining session in Florida several months before the merger was even announced. Very few items were left after that. The idea that we had only TA'd minor items is pure ignorance. You just don't know what you're talking about.

You understand that the two sides were talking for almost a year before the purchase was announced? You think other than coins and two sided ducks that little issues like labor contracts were discussed and ironed out before the deal was done?

 

[PCL_128]

No one inks TA'd sections just because they're "in talks" about a merger. They ink the sections because they can live with them either way.

Besides, what you suggest is blatantly illegal and could send Gary and VdV to jail for many years. Is that what you're alleging about your beloved leaders?

 

[Kharma Police]

No one inks TA'd sections just because they're "in talks" about a merger. They ink the sections because they can live with them either way.

Besides, what you suggest is blatantly illegal and could send Gary and VdV to jail for many years. Is that what you're alleging about your beloved leaders?

My "beloved leaders" are incredibly smart and know how to run a successful business, and I love them for that. ALPA (and SWAPA) didn't stand a chance. Notice how that ALPA lawsuit in regards to the 717s got laughed out of court? You really are that clueless to think they didn't talk about labor issues? These guys play chess, you and ALPA are still learning to play checkers.

 

[redflyer65]

No one inks TA'd sections just because they're "in talks" about a merger. They ink the sections because they can live with them either way.

Besides, what you suggest is blatantly illegal and could send Gary and VdV to jail for many years. Is that what you're alleging about your beloved leaders?

His point was that they dragged you out because they were in talks behind the scene. Completely plausible and you were never going to get a deal OR be released. Unless the deal fell apart. Then your management would have gone to Plan B, whatever that was.

What world do you live in to think AirTran didn't get a deal because of Southwest new announcement to purchase? This is business PCL, happens everyday. You can scream illegal this and illegal that and in the end it doesn't matter. A wink and a nod and Bob gets the deal done. Nobody said anything. Are you that naive to think that couldn't happen? Illegal? Maybe. Is anyone going to be prosecuted? Not a chance. Just like OJ still looking for the killers. Good luck with that.

 

[PCL_128]

My "beloved leaders" are incredibly smart and know how to run a successful business

Agreed, which is why they took great pains, even after the merger announcement, to comply with federal laws.

Notice how that ALPA lawsuit in regards to the 717s got laughed out of court?

There never was a lawsuit over the 717s.

 

[PCL_128]

His point was that they dragged you out because they were in talks behind the scene. Completely plausible and you were never going to get a deal OR be released. Unless the deal fell apart. Then your management would have gone to Plan B, whatever that was.

What world do you live in to think AirTran didn't get a deal because of Southwest new announcement to purchase? This is business PCL, happens everyday. You can scream illegal this and illegal that and in the end it doesn't matter. A wink and a nod and Bob gets the deal done. Nobody said anything. Are you that naive to think that couldn't happen? Illegal? Maybe. Is anyone going to be prosecuted? Not a chance. Just like OJ still looking for the killers. Good luck with that.

You're even more clueless than he is. Not worth my time.

 

[Nindiri]

Speaking only for myself, but having been in four different unions, ALPA is definitely the best of the bunch, or at least the lesser of the evils.

The Teamsters were useless, the NPA was an inbred disaster, and SWAPA isn't much better. At least with ALPA, I did get some benefits including better pay and quality of life. All I get from SWAPA is explanations of why I should shutup and be happy with whatever the benevolent company offers.

 

[Flopgut]

I'm an ALPA member. Personally I would have been happy with a $1000/month assessment to Airtran in defense of a better integration. (Goes the same for any ALPA pilot group bought by a non ALPA group)

Btw if Airtran hadn't been bought they'd had a heck of a lot better contract than SWA had at 16 years...

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

You friggin southwest jackholes have no idea how they got their raise. Dublinflyer acting like he's some oracle genius saying they got a TA based on a rumor they were going to be bought by the beloved Herb Turds? Priceless!

 

[PCL_128]

I'm an ALPA member. Personally I would have been happy with a $1000/month assessment to Airtran in defense of a better integration. (Goes the same for any ALPA pilot group bought by a non ALPA group)

Very much appreciated. But we had all the money in the world. That wasn't the problem. ALPA was willing to provide any resources that we could need to defend ourselves if that's the choice we made. But our pilots were too scared. Money doesn't fix fear.

 

[Kharma Police]

Very much appreciated. But we had all the money in the world. That wasn't the problem. ALPA was willing to provide any resources that we could need to defend ourselves if that's the choice we made. But our pilots were too scared. Money doesn't fix fear.

ALPA had wonderful guns but forgot the bullets.

 

[SWA Bubba]

You friggin southwest jackholes have no idea how they got their raise. Dublinflyer acting like he's some oracle genius saying they got a TA based on a rumor they were going to be bought by the beloved Herb Turds? Priceless!

First, that's not what he said. Second, I'm pretty sure you, as a Delta guy, know even less about how Southwest and AirTran integrated and negotiated than anyone actually from the two companies who lived this evolution, and were having this discussion.

But you did get today's random Southwest slam in. Good for you. :blush:

Bubba