Are Democrats really pro airline pilot?

[Carl_Spackler]

Are democrats really pro airline pilot, or are the just pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?

It seems to me that if the democrats were really pro airline pilot they would introduce legislation that would allow us to negotiate outside the RLA.

 

[BoilerUP]

Are democrats really pro airline pilot, or are the just pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?

No.

No political group is "pro airline pilot".

That said, I do think a Democrat would be more receptive to the issues facing labor than a Republican would be...and I'm a registered (R).

 

[PCL_128]

Are democrats really pro airline pilot, or are the just pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?

In practice, there's really no difference. Whether they truly care about you or not isn't the issue. The only thing that matters is that they want your money and support bad enough that they'll do what you want them to do to get it. The entire political system in this country is just a huge legalized bribe system. If you want to accomplish anything, then you've got to bribe some politicians with some contributions. In general, Democrats are more receptive to bribes from labor groups, so that's where you focus your attention.

It seems to me that if the democrats were really pro airline pilot they would introduce legislation that would allow us to negotiate outside the RLA.

ALPA hasn't even asked them to do this at this point. The votes aren't there to accomplish it right now. There's the concern that bringing up changes to the RLA without a large pro-labor majority could result in some very bad consequences. Remember the McCain-Lott bill from about 5 years ago? It was all about baseball-style arbitration that would have crippled our leverage and our careers. If we push hard for RLA changes without a sizable majority in favor of our position, then we could inadvertently end up with something like that. What we need are large pro-labor majorities in both the House and Senate, and a pro-labor President. Until then, trying to change the RLA is futile and possibly dangerous to our careers.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Are democrats really pro airline pilot, or are the just pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?

It seems to me that if the democrats were really pro airline pilot they would introduce legislation that would allow us to negotiate outside the RLA.

Is there ANY group that is NOT pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?!

CE

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

If we push hard for RLA changes without a sizable majority in favor of our position, then we could inadvertently end up with something like that. What we need are large pro-labor majorities in both the House and Senate, and a pro-labor President. Until then, trying to change the RLA is futile and possibly dangerous to our careers.

We also need a pilot membership that understands this... the fact is, in order to get RLA changes accomplished we are going to have to deal with "undesirable" congressmen. Sorry that is the way its done...

But to be honest... who really cares about [insert your issue: guns, gays, abortion, etc..] when dealing with the issue of pilot careers. ITS THE ISSUE! When ALPA shows up to discuss pilot careers they don't discuss anything else. If gays, guns and abortions, GGA, are important to you then find an organization that will work your GGA issue. Cause ALPA WILL NOT DO IT!

Money buys access and access guarantees influence. Sorry, it is just the way the good ol USA works. You can be idealistic that your politicans shouldn't take PAC money, but is there another way? (maybe, but we haven't seen it yet...) Fact is money wins elections.. and congressmen want to get (re)elected. They need cash. And they will get it from anyone who has an agenda in Wash DC.

Let's be clear... MANAGEMENT is giving the money that you help generate via your labor to politicians that are willing to keep you DOWN. Simply by showing up to work you are helping management influence politicans to make labor laws better for companies.

If we are to draw the line or even move ball down field a bit then we have to give to our PAC and quit comming up with idealism about influence or non related issues such as gays, guns and abortion. Besides, without a prosperous career one cannot work on important issues (GGA).

And that is trick. The quagmire that pilots could understand.... You can support a pilot career and your important issues... One doesn't have to choose...

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Are democrats really pro airline pilot, or are the just pro iwantalpamoneyformypocket?

It seems to me that if the democrats were really pro airline pilot they would introduce legislation that would allow us to negotiate outside the RLA.

No they are not USA pro airline pilot, but as their Rep "brethren", they are very pro Chinese and Mexican labor.