McCain to lose pilot vote block.

[igneousy2]

From the Ft Worth Star-telegram...



John McCain and the pilots

Sen. John McCain may have the Republican party nomination wrapped up, but he still has some convincing to do with one group of traditionally Republican voters. No, I'm not talking about evangelical Christians - I'm talking about commercial airline pilots.
McCain co-sponsored legislation in 2003 that would have changed the Railway Labor Act to include mandatory "baseball-style" arbitration in airline contract negotiations. That's a method whereby a mediator makes the final decision on disputed issues, and there is no appeal. Unions have long opposed any attempts to force that type of arbitration, because it removes their greatest form of leverage - the ability to strike.
McCain's 2003 effort failed, but lots of pilots still remember it. One told me recently that he will never vote for the Arizona senator, and he believes many of his colleagues feel the same way.
"Look, most pilots are ex-military, they're professionals, most of them vote Republican and have all their lives," the pilot said. "But when it comes to McCain, most of us all remember how he backed airline management and tried to screw the pilots. That's going to cost him some votes."
- Trebor

 

[On Your Six]

From the Ft Worth Star-telegram...



John McCain and the pilots

Sen. John McCain may have the Republican party nomination wrapped up, but he still has some convincing to do with one group of traditionally Republican voters. No, I'm not talking about evangelical Christians - I'm talking about commercial airline pilots.
McCain co-sponsored legislation in 2003 that would have changed the Railway Labor Act to include mandatory "baseball-style" arbitration in airline contract negotiations. That's a method whereby a mediator makes the final decision on disputed issues, and there is no appeal. Unions have long opposed any attempts to force that type of arbitration, because it removes their greatest form of leverage - the ability to strike.
McCain's 2003 effort failed, but lots of pilots still remember it. One told me recently that he will never vote for the Arizona senator, and he believes many of his colleagues feel the same way.
"Look, most pilots are ex-military, they're professionals, most of them vote Republican and have all their lives," the pilot said. "But when it comes to McCain, most of us all remember how he backed airline management and tried to screw the pilots. That's going to cost him some votes."
- Trebor

Well, I guess you'd all prefer to pay higher taxes then... Good for you. The legislation failed and he could bring it up again if he loses in November. Let's instead focus on the bigger picture - higer vs. lower taxes unless you don't care because you are loaded...

 

[Flyprdu]

How about we try to make the higher income tax brackets before we start to b1tch about them.

 

[johnny taliban]

taxes

the only pilots who will have their taxes raised are the upper management types making over 250,000 a year. with all the pay cuts pilots have taking the last few years I don't believe to many will be affected by Che Obama's fiscal policy. Not saying I agree, just pointing this out.

 

[ultrarunner]

...Let's instead focus on the bigger picture - higer vs. lower taxes unless you don't care because you are loaded...

The more you're loaded the more you DO care. It's all about utilizing the loop holes to pay as little tax as possible....

Of course we have to sign a form stating as much, but that's ok.

 

[SaturnPilot]

Well, I guess you'd all prefer to pay higher taxes then... Good for you. The legislation failed and he could bring it up again if he loses in November. Let's instead focus on the bigger picture - higer vs. lower taxes unless you don't care because you are loaded...

Well, I guess you'd prefer to elect a candidate who HATES those in your profession. My taxes aren't going up if a dem is elected. If McCain is elected my pay stands a better chance of going down rather than up.

 

[twepilot]

the bush tax cuts expire in 2010...emphasis on EXPIRE. the dems do not need to do anything that could be construed as "raising taxes" they will simply let them expire. Everyone that has a job, and has payroll taxes deducted from their pay check will feel the effect.

RV

 

[inline]

From the Ft Worth Star-telegram...



John McCain and the pilots

Sen. John McCain may have the Republican party nomination wrapped up, but he still has some convincing to do with one group of traditionally Republican voters. No, I'm not talking about evangelical Christians - I'm talking about commercial airline pilots.
McCain co-sponsored legislation in 2003 that would have changed the Railway Labor Act to include mandatory "baseball-style" arbitration in airline contract negotiations. That's a method whereby a mediator makes the final decision on disputed issues, and there is no appeal. Unions have long opposed any attempts to force that type of arbitration, because it removes their greatest form of leverage - the ability to strike.
McCain's 2003 effort failed, but lots of pilots still remember it. One told me recently that he will never vote for the Arizona senator, and he believes many of his colleagues feel the same way.
"Look, most pilots are ex-military, they're professionals, most of them vote Republican and have all their lives," the pilot said. "But when it comes to McCain, most of us all remember how he backed airline management and tried to screw the pilots. That's going to cost him some votes."
- Trebor

Well, they sure as hell ain't gonna vote for Billary or Obama. McCain has his skeletons and has been a thorn in the side of commercial pilots but he's head and shoulders above those loser democrats.

 

[FO 4 Life]

the only pilots who will have their taxes raised are the upper management types making over 250,000 a year. with all the pay cuts pilots have taking the last few years I don't believe to many will be affected by Che Obama's fiscal policy. Not saying I agree, just pointing this out.

You should talk to the average FedEx and UPS line captain if you think that. Additionally, most of the legacy pilots are looking to get their money back in the next round.

 

[Flyprdu]

Well, they sure as hell ain't gonna vote for Billary or Obama. McCain has his skeletons and has been a thorn in the side of commercial pilots but he's head and shoulders above those loser democrats.

Moron.

 

[SaturnPilot]

Additionally, most of the legacy pilots are looking to get their money back in the next round.

Won't be easy with McCain in office

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

the only pilots who will have their taxes raised are the upper management types making over 250,000 a year. with all the pay cuts pilots have taking the last few years I don't believe to many will be affected by Che Obama's fiscal policy. Not saying I agree, just pointing this out.

i beg to differ!

 

[DonVerita]

Well, they sure as hell ain't gonna vote for Billary or Obama. McCain has his skeletons and has been a thorn in the side of commercial pilots but he's head and shoulders above those loser democrats.

Oh really?

This pilot will be voting for Obama!

It's so pathetic to hear Republican pilots cry about taxes. Where do you think the money comes from to send your kids to school? The parks and beaches? The infrastructure? The police and fire departments?...and all the other social services that you think are unimportant?

Take a look around. Our country is falling apart and all Republicans have done for the last 8 years is preach fear, hate, and venom about anyone who is less fortunate than themselves. Be clear on one thing: Republicans HATE unions. They HATE the fact that labor can actually stand up to their political lapdogs in Big Business and shut them down with a legal strike.

Those "loser democrats" as you called them, are the ones who support unions, support pilots, and support your right to organize. They support the working people. Your Republican friends only support Big Business, the HMO's, exporting of our jobs, immunity for those who help them break the law (read: telecoms), a so-called "Iraq war on terror" which is nothing more than a police action, and oh...let's not forget...Cabotage.

And you call yourself a union member?

 

[FlickerFade]

SHOCKING!! ALPA won't be endorsing a republican?!

This "stimulus" plan showed exactly where congress defines "rich" $75K single, $125K couple....... anyone here make that?! I do I do!!+

9/11 did more to hurt this industry than any republican ( Tom Daschel's airline lobbyist wife and Carter's deregulation didn't help either!)

I'm voting for McCain.

 

[Flyprdu]

It's time to turn the page. Anyone who wants the same old Washington players playing the same old Washington game, go for McCain.

I for one am sick of having absolutely no recourse in negotiations from the NMB. For those who sit around and watch the country implode upon itself, meanwhile "you got yours" so screw the rest of us. Thank you sirs, you and thousands like you have mortgaged the future of our country for whatever short term scraps you received these last few years.

It's time for unity. It's time for change we can believe in.