Have you guys read this?

[surplus1]

surplus,

"brothers"!!!!!

You do have alot on the ball, I think with a little effort this can be made to work to ALL our benefits.

You will catch a lot more flies with honey. You have the knowledge, the experience and the voice to articulate your information. If you do it a little nicer you will be HEARD by a great many more..

In Unity,

AAflyer

AAflyer,

You are very right about catching more flies with honey. You'll have to forgive me if my frustration shows from time to time. I've been using the "honey" approach with ALPA's big guns for 13 of the 14 years I've been a "regional" airline pilot. The only thing that got sticky were my own fingers. Those flies are wiley buggers. Sometimes it takes a swatter to catch certain flies.

Time is short for me. Retirment from this is knocking on the door. I'd like to see my union restored to its intended purpose before I hang it up for good. Because of this, I tend to be impatient sometimes. I apologize if that comes across as offensive. This problem could be solved with the line pilots. It's the confounded politicians at the National and MEC level that keep things from happening. They're afraid they may lose some power. I'm afraid that WE will lose the union, if we don't straigten this out. We made the mess and we have to solve it. It shouldn't be about "mainline" pilots and "regional" pilots. It should just be about airline pilots. That's what we ALL are.

Trust me when I say that many HEAR me, the problem is that few LISTEN, not just to me but to anyone but themselves. It's not really because I'm abrasive, it's mostly because I won't stay "in my place" and kiss the appropriate posteriors. People in power don't like that and I have grown sick of being "politically correct".

I'll keep trying till the clock runs out. If I don't make it, I hope young people like you will pick up the ball and go on to score. You've convinced me your head's in the right place.

Ironically, if you've read the history of your own union and why it separated from ALPA you may understand the similarities in the current situation. Back when that happened American had about the same number of pilots that my little airline has today.

Fly safe,
Surplus1

 

[AAflyer]

Surplus1,

thanks, I am actually reading the Fly the Line II. I understand your frustration. I see why you have taken that approach.

I and many others understand what is REALLY going on, and would have no problem defending it and you. LIke I read in Flying the Line, this is not just our career, we need to leave it a better place for the next generation. Thanks for responding, and Good
Luck.

Take Care,
AAflyer