I do agree...something is better than nothing. My outlook of ALPA has changed...ALPA is not a Union. ALPA is a political entity which dictates to a conglomerate of pilot groups, each with different goals. ALPA is a third party consultant which Airlines can hire to provide services with varying results at each airline. ALPA only loosely resembles a Union. Not to imply this is bad in any way...it just is what it is.
Like you said, he's a politician, he is not a fellow pilot anymore. He left the line because for whatever reason, he sees additional benefits and improvement for himself in politics. Sadly, over time ALPA pilots will see that Prater's campaign spearheaded by the phrase "Takin' It Back" was nothing more than talk...which is what politicians are experts at.
I think the term Leadership implies someone is following. As has been stated...not too many are following. I think the idea of ALPA has to be changed. Again, I submit that ALPA is just a contracted service which is not to be mistaken for an entity which binds its subscribers in any way. And this needs to be clarified among the members, so as not to mislead them or give them fals-hopes.
Is it accurate to say pilots are concerned primarily with Pay, Benefits, and Schedule?
Hey, I'm not going to knock the guys who were at the rally. But who did that benefit? The Public doesn't care about pilots and management certainly doesn't either. In theory, what if you did have 50% of the pilots out there (Probably not likely with pilots flying and sitting reserve...) but just in theory...what would it prove and to who?
He WAS a pilot. He's a politician now.
It's about him. He has his a$$ covered and doesn't have to endure the possibility of further paycuts for a couple more years. Clearly walking in step with the rank and file...(you see where the disconnect starts?) Blame the disconnect on the members as much as you want, but it's the members that hold the key to ALPA's power. It just is what it is.
Unfortunately, you're right. But this is where the leadership comes into play. Now you know what the membership wants...go get it and TAKE IT BACK! Everyone's expecting action, and then the heads turn around and say "It's easier said than done guys, we gotta play by the rules (which are created by the people we're rallying against). And by the way...it's going to be long, boring, and drawn out."
And this implies what exactly? The Teamsters with the Auto Industry are getting alot of media too. The message is falling on deaf ears. If it was that big of a deal (not too imply it wasn't) why did ALPA not put out ballots and find out how many would attend? Should have done their research with there membership.
Volunteer what? This would be a good start to advertise specifics.
No...ALPA castrated themselves by "credibility" and "Playing by the rules". ALPA has set a precedent that they are here "to work with management and congress" Translation: ALPA is a House of Cards
Just keep in mind, The House NEVER loses.
Good...starve your dog and it will fight harder.
I want him to fix the problem, beside glad-handing and grand-standing. He stepped up to the plate, did he think his paycheck would come easy?
Actually, why didn't you go in their and tell them to get their a$$es into the meeting?
You should be taking your knowledge and using it to improve current conditions (Pay, Schedule, Benefits)
sounds alot like the rhetoric from CEO's "It's those dammed employees again!!!"
Yes, that is exactly what I said...go to Jail for the pilots...(layered with sarcasm)So this is getting back to you wanting the leadership to "make a stand" and go to jail, like Hitler, Ghandi and MLK jr! Maybe Prater could write a book: "An Air Line Pilot in Prison!" that would instill consumer confidence..
Yes...and just the other day I heard two ladies discussing it in the grocery check-out lanes.
You do what you gotta do to get the point across that your pilot group is not going to take $hit from these management teams. Worst case scenario: are you willing to go on strike and potentially be unemployed to stand up for your profession? Because if you don't have your leaders re-iterating that message to the CEO's, they now hold the Fear Card and will use it to their advantage.
If your plumber doesn't finish the job you pay him to do, do you toss your hands up and say "Something is better than nothing" ?
Yeah, it hurts the company's bottom line. Now you have their attention.
I'm just saying that ALPA puts a whole lot of faith in congressional representation. And we know Big Business has a bigger stake in it than the pilots do.
Makes me feel like a REAL man
Seriously??? What made you want to run for the position then?
Like you said man, some people care about it, some people don't. It's the job of ALPA leaders to convince the membership they need to care about it and solidify as ONE group.
Doug, you need to understand that Rez is like a hippie. He doesn't believe in radical actions such as strikes, WOE campaigns. That is so mean and old school. He believes that pragmatic approach to the governmental and management abuses is the way to go while singing "All you need is love."
