Originally posted by Catbird:
I've experienced Alpa legal at work, friends like that you don't need enemies. Financial you say. 1.95% for JFJ's. I pass on that to. Political resources- I believe PAC's are ALL corruption in a veiled form. Alpa is a perfect fit on that point.
First of all, ALPA isn't on trial here. The question is would a separate union benefit regional pilots. Nobody asked if they should be the moral standard bearer for all western civilization. Your dues rate has no bearing on what kind of deals your MEC agrees to. That's faulty logic. By "financial resources" I was leaning towrds strike assements, and the like. I can guarantee that our Teamsters local does not have a strike pay fund set up, ready to pull the trigger should we walk. Of course PACs are veiled corruption, else what's the point? AFL/CIOs support of the DNC is particularly repulsive. But it does accomplish some goals. Age 60 was defeated, thank goodness. Otherwise we'd all be sentenced to another 6 years of this.
Your fraternal mindspeak is showing- Why doesn't Alpa take a stand of all pilots are equal and stand on this line of defense. Sure would make it difficult to bargain with someone else's career though for Mainline gain, so Alpa wouldn't do that.
Is "mindspeak" an Orwellian word? Anyway, it would be great if this was the stand that was taken. ALPA hasn't done enough in this area. But how will irrevocably branding ourselves with "Regional Pilots Local 132" in anyway effect the caste system? If anything a separate union would strengthen that stereotype.
3. Jettison any chance of single seniority lists within each airline brand.
PLEEEEEESE- That would require a leadership role. You are joking aren't you? A mainline 4 year pilot becoming junior to a 25 year "Commuter Trash" substandard pilot? Are one better a military pilot required to sit right seat in a commuter? Hurry to the Emergency room before it's to late.
Ever heard of a fence? SSL would not be a seamless, everybody's happy, lets sing kumbaya event. But with a little thought and planning, most of the parties could be made somewhat happy most of the time. More importantly it's not about the individual pilot, it's about improving the structure of the industry in future years. And what was your solution again?
Talk to each other- The MEC's which represent the "Commuter Trash" go much further than talk. Our MECC is going steady with our mainline MECC with Alpa National supplying the money for those vigorous sessions. Too bad the "Commuter Trash" line pilot receives a peck on the cheek. Alpa is well versed in these interludes. Alg's ex MECC is a prime example of a perfect romance and communication partner. He made it to the big "Administrator Cathouse". Without him just think where ALG would be these day's?
I already noted that the USAirways case is not a shining example. What do you want, a Purple Heart? Like I said, read some of letter3.org's stuff for a wonderful depiction of a happy family. You get J4J, not really a fantastic deal for the wholly owned pilots. My condolences. But at Eagle the pilots are just as flushed, and there aren't promises of future growth, and they weren't given the choice, which is in contrast to most of the Airways carriers. Communication within the brand is the only way to avoid or mitigate one group shafting the other.
Kicking over the checkers board becasue you're losing, even if the game was rigged, accomplishes nothing. Creating a renegade union with an identity based solely on "not being mainline" is about as productive.