DLSouthernjets said:
Eaglefly-
Delta pilots got a crappy contract back in 1996.
Why? Because idiot pilots voted FOR it.
Who's fault? Our fault. We could blame ALPA national, but it wouldn't change things one iota.
Your statements are accurate but miss the point completely.
The Delta MEC and pilot group is "the" most powerful group within the ALPA. While UAL might be in a position to challenge that, no other airline in the ALPA even comes close.
If the Delta pilots want something from the ALPA that the rest of ALPA would prefer not to give, the DMEC then threatens to take its marbles (money) and play in its own sandbox. Result = it gets what it wants, when it wants. I'm not saying that's bad or good. Just that it's true.
There is NO comparison whatever between what the EGL MEC can do in the ALPA and what the DAL MEC can do.
When the DAL pilots negotiate or ratifiy a contract you are correct in saying it is "their responsibility". When the EGL pilots do the same it is as different as night and day.
If you don't know what happens behind the scenes I can excuse your statement. If you DO know, then your statement is diliberately misleading. I suspect you don't know.
There is a history to the EGL's 1997 contract. Those who know some of that history are obliged to take exception to what you've said. I can't recall the exact quote but , "you shouldn't judge another man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins".
I'm not an EGL pilot, I'm a Comair pilot, but I do have a dog in their struggle for I too am a "regional" pilot. Like it or not, we regional pilots are all in the same stew. Whatever affects one of us, affects us all. It is time that we recognize this, set aside our differences and join hands in defense of our union rights.
Personally, I don't believe that leaving the ALPA is the way to do this right now. I think we should first make a serious effort, within the union, to correct the problems we face.
While we do have some divergent interests, they are very small by comparison with out common interests. IMO, we need a solid coalition between ourselves that allows us to pursue our interests within the Association. That coalition should include the Canadian regionals.
The ALPA has been far more effective in dividing regional pilots and playing them against each other internally, than the management groups do externally. The union's internal structure is frequently "adjusted" in such a way that we are precluded from effective political power within the organization. Our individual voices are at best whispers, mostly unheard.
As a consequence, we must always do as we're told (and believe me we ARE told) and never as we prefer. While I do not believe that we should always "get our way", I can't subscribe to "never" getting our way either.
To date, regional pilot leaders have not been willing or wise enough (I'm not sure which), to understand the benefits of coalition. Perhaps one day soon, they will. I can always hope.
Of course I realize that mainline groups can also form a coalition of their own to counter that and restore the status quo. That is likely for the mainline groups often do that today. They have to find common ground if anything is to get done. Nevertheless, a true coalition of the regionals or preferably the "non-majors" would level the palying field considerably. Today's disparity is increasingly unworkable.
Would what I suggest be good for the union as a whole and not jut the "regional" members? I think the answer is yes. Why? = "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Regards
