Comair merger relief fund?

[PA44Jockey]

Did I read that message from the MEC correctly? Seperate from the cont. fund. $20.00/month/pilot.

That is voluntary correct?

 

[wmuflyguy]

Did I read that message from the MEC correctly? Seperate from the cont. fund. $20.00/month/pilot.

That is voluntary correct?

I don't believe so...I'm a little pissed we had no say in the matter.

I want to know what they need 300,000 dollars for and I want each penny spent to be itemized and put on our ALPA website.

 

[CRJ puppy]

Did I read that message from the MEC correctly? Seperate from the cont. fund. $20.00/month/pilot.

That is voluntary correct?

No it's not. Yes, you read it correctly.

 

[samballs]

This is to cover JC's mis-spending, the union just found a creative way to collect!? make people believe they need the money, then pay his bill off.

 

[RiddleEagle18]

why do I feel like I need a union to protect me from my union.

 

[samballs]

why do I feel like I need a union to protect me from my union.

You do. But the correct way to put it would be "why do I feel like I need a union to protect me from an association"?

 

[DX Rick]

How can they force us to pay something without voting on it or signing something?

I remember years ago when the rumor was flying around that Mesa and ASA was going to merge, MAG ALPA told the pilots the same thing we were. According to family who worked there, enough pilots called their reps and said they refuse to pay it and the Union dropped the "Merger Fund".

 

[BOX OFFICE]

Is it just me, or does this sound like RJDC part two?

 

[Jmoney]

Yep....

Is it just me, or does this sound like RJDC part two?

You hit the nail on the head!

The RJDC was such a farce! Just goes to show that law school really does pay off. The only people to see a dime from that entire fiasco were the lawyers!

-Just ask old Joe Merchant how much he has seen in return for all his RJDC contributions!

 

[PA44Jockey]

According to the MEC's letter it would take a year to come up with that money. I think it's pretty safe to say that the merger will either go through, or be shot down before then.

Why do I pay union dues? Why don't they just call it an insurance benefit bill that I receive? Seriously, ALPA is quickly losing credibility.

At least the brothers some paid to join in college had their backs!

Let me guess! We should grieve it?

 

[TristarJS30]

Not that this is at all related, but since US kicked ALPA to the curb, isn't ALPA made up of more regional pilots than mainline? I never could find the answer.

(EDIT: Hmm, I had typed more but it disappeared, so let me try again)

I think this will rile up the pilot group, but not in a good way. You'll have the senior guys that make good money and/or are too bitter and tired to care. You'll have the hardcore ALPA backers that blindly follow anything ALPA says as a good thing, and then you'll have the rest of the pilots who have a mixed reaction, mostly negative.

My feeling is rather annoyance that they say "Pay this now" instead of putting it up for vote or making it optional. It's always good to be prepared, but where is my money going once the merger falls apart or is turned down? I'd like my $240 bucks back.

Hell, that'll be a whole tank of gas a year from now.

 

[skyslug]

Just out of curiosity, why would Comair need a merger fund? Who are they intending to merge with? I can't see a need for a merger fund just because DL/NW are in the process. Comair is a wholly owned subsidiary of DL unless DL is planning to sell them to someone???

 

[wmuflyguy]

Just out of curiosity, why would Comair need a merger fund? Who are they intending to merge with? I can't see a need for a merger fund just because DL/NW are in the process. Comair is a wholly owned subsidiary of DL unless DL is planning to sell them to someone???

That is exactly my question! We are not merging with anyone, there isn't even a rumor that we will. Delta is Merging with NW...We (Comair) are not merging with anyone. This place has delusions of grandeur.

Should an actual merger for us arise, I'll cut a check for the full 240 bucks right on the spot, but don't tell me you need my cash without even a credible threat at the moment.

 

[CopilotDoug]

I want to know what they need 300,000 dollars for...

Only to PREPARE for the real possibility of a merger. IF Comair does merge with somebody, ALPA will have to re-evaluate it's funding (i.e. reach deeper into your pocket)

 

[samballs]

Only to PREPARE for the real possibility of a merger. IF Comair does merge with somebody, ALPA will have to re-evaluate it's funding (i.e. reach deeper into your pocket)

Are you an FO Rep?

 

[samballs]

Many at Comair think we are Delta, they forget we're Comair

 

[DX Rick]

Many at Comair think we are Delta, they forget we're Comair

I was wondering why it was taking so long to get my double breasted suit.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Are you an FO Rep?

Just paraphrasing what the letter says and reading between the lines

 

[PA44Jockey]

Could the new Delta merge it's wholly owned regionals?

 

[superfreight208]

I am not Paying!!

I am not paying any more money!! F*%# That!! The dam union gets enough of my money!! Now I have to pay for a merger that I didn't sign for!

 

[poorpilot83]

How can they force us to pay something without voting on it or signing something?

I remember years ago when the rumor was flying around that Mesa and ASA was going to merge, MAG ALPA told the pilots the same thing we were. According to family who worked there, enough pilots called their reps and said they refuse to pay it and the Union dropped the "Merger Fund".

That would be a big negative. The merger fund issue came around again at mesa and JUST LIKE YOU the MEC decided without a vote. So we are now paying $20 a month and if you dont pay then you are kicked out of ALPA. Now if that would be a bad thing or not is a good question, HOWEVER they will still take dues out of your paycheck and there is nothing you can do to stop them! And really Mesa? Merger fund?? We have a better chance of going bankrupt then merging!

 

[JoeMerchant]

The problem with ALPA is there is no objective method of merger....and the bylaws don't allow for regular dues money to be used to get involved in any integration p!$$ing contests.....

Any fighting done on your behalf has to come from an independant merger fund.....

So for example...lets just say that the new DAL/NWA decides to merge Compass/Mesaba/CMR....The fight for seniority has to be paid from a seperate merger fund....By the way...Compass is part of the NWA MEC...

More chickens coming home to roost......

 

[sinkrate]

The 'special assesments' everyone is refering to are to fund a Merger Committee should your airline merge with or be acquired by another carrier. Under ALPA bylaws MEC budget money cannot be used to fund expenses associated with mergers. Every carrier that has been through a merger has used these special assesments to fund the Committee that represents them in seniority list integration negotitions and subsequent Agreement issues. If a carrier that has a good chance of being sold or merged into another carrier does not want to fund such a committee - enjoy being on the bottom of the staple job.

 

[DrewBlows]

The following is my opinion...

A merger fund at Comair isn't a bad idea. There are about one hundred things that could result from a DAL/NWA merger and about one of them which is good for Comair pilots. When it's all said and done New Delta will own Mesaba, Comair, and Compass. Who knows what they will do with them (us, I'm Compass, former Comair)?

People bitch and moan about ALPA not doing anything but in this case they are being pro-active and people are still bitching. If you are not concerned about a merger at Comair, you should be. If you are concerned about a merger fund at Comair I suggest you organize an effort to put the merger fund in an escrow account which can be refunded or reassigned in the event it's not needed.

 

[CopilotDoug]

...put the merger fund in an escrow account which can be refunded or reassigned in the event it's not needed.

Not a bad idea. Use regular dues money to open the escrow

 

[Jmoney]

Not All Bad...

If the money is not needed for an actual merger, just think of how many Corn Dawgs you could buy......

Mmmm, Corn Dawgs.....

 

[samballs]

The following is my opinion...

A merger fund at Comair isn't a bad idea. There are about one hundred things that could result from a DAL/NWA merger and about one of them which is good for Comair pilots. When it's all said and done New Delta will own Mesaba, Comair, and Compass. Who knows what they will do with them (us, I'm Compass, former Comair)?

People bitch and moan about ALPA not doing anything but in this case they are being pro-active and people are still bitching. If you are not concerned about a merger at Comair, you should be. If you are concerned about a merger fund at Comair I suggest you organize an effort to put the merger fund in an escrow account which can be refunded or reassigned in the event it's not needed.

Actually, their not being pro-active. Alpa Natl. advised them to start this 18 months ago and JC did nothing (as always). The new MEC came on and did nothing, now their rushing to get this in place and blaming JC, but they did the same thing nothing until it was too late.

 

[Regul8r]

Actually, their not being pro-active. Alpa Natl. advised them to start this 18 months ago and JC did nothing (as always). The new MEC came on and did nothing, now their rushing to get this in place and blaming JC, but they did the same thing nothing until it was too late.

Is Comair going to be brought into the fold with the merger of NWA/DL? What better opportunity to excercise collective bargaining, no?

(And for that matter, NWA and their respective ALPA feeders)