Stifler's Mom
MILF...MILF...MILF
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2003
- Posts
- 5,125
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I used to be a republican and anti-union. I blame Bush/Cheney for turning me into a Democrat and SAPA for turning me pro-union.
At the college I attended, more than 20 years ago now, we dined in a huge build ing—all 4,000 plus of us at once. Seating arrangements were 10 per table with a mix of all classes at each table. The seniors sat at the head of the table and the freshmen sat at the end.
OK guys, I'll add my $.02.
I worked at Mesa Air for about two years. I'm pro-ALPA.
Here is the reason. ALPA isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, it's the only thing though. I really don't see a downside to voting in ALPA. What will happen if it comes on property at SKYW? Nothing. We will still make money, planes will still fly, and we'll continue to make an awesome profit. I'm glad we make 30 million a quarter, I can't wait until we make 50!
Here's the deal though. We're not some schmo who just showed up one day and became a pilot, and we work in an industry that is almost completely based on seniority. We have a personal investment in this company, and we do our best to see it survive. Every day that your seniority progresses at SKYW you add a penny to that investment, one day at a time you invest part of your most limited asset, time, into this company, and it's collective future. ALPA is just one tool to be used to insure that the investment you make isn't wiped away by a penstroke from a corporate leader, or unsavory manager.
In the great depression (which 9/11 reflects in this industry) many banks failed. This led to the FDIC being implemented in the banking industry. If you read the fine print you will find that the FDIC only insures $100,000 per account held. It isn't perfect, but I don't see anyone abstaining form depositing funds in an FDIC insured account because, "It won't protect everything." ALPA is an important step in the right direction for protecting your priceless investment in the success of this company. A company which I love.
Second, ALPA has a large number of services and protections which simply are not available without union representation. I would support an independant union, wholeheartedly, but due to the nature and demographic of a regional carrier, it would ultimately fail.
Thirdly, this is a reason for which I am most supportive of ALPA or any union for a specialized trade, ESPECIALLY a seniority driven trade. ALPA is a way of taking ownership of your PROFESSION! FACE IT, LIKE IT OR NOT YOU ARE A HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL! Every day at work you are not being paid for showing up and completeling tasks. The company is paying rent on your certificate. Something which you risk every day on the line. SOmething that many employees at every airline know, and sometimes care nothing about. Ever been pressured to fly by a crew scheduler? Are they really qualified to suggest you fly ANY trip? No, so you better get someone in your corner who can tell them to shove it. You may move on one day to a major, or some other airline, that airline will have whatever it has in terms of PAY/QOL etc. based solely on the failure or success of ALPA. (alpa or not). We need to collectively face the reality of what this industry is. It is a dirty one, and a cuthroat one, and a UNION profession.
Don't want to join the union, fine! Just don't EVER complain about a single thing ever again for your entire career. Like it or not we are here because of three factors: Government, Management, and PILOT GROUPS. Historically management has been anti-pilot, government has been sluggish at best to protect the public and even slower to protect us, the driving force behind every single solitary flight.
PM me with any questions.
Skynation did you vote in the SAPA election?