So where does the next generation come from???

[Flopgut]

You're talking about dumping the unions. I was raised on the merit system for a couple of decades before becoming a union pilot in my mid-thirties. While there are pros and cons to both, I think the safety side of the equation means we need a union. It's the main reason ALPA was formed in the first place and why many airlines eventually unionize. The unions don't have to be antagonistic such as SWAPA, but it does mean the company has to respect the pilot group's concerns when it comes to flying aircraft in all types of environmental and mechanical conditions.

As for Prater, all those political cats mystify me. It's a matter of taking the good with the bad. He's doing a job I would never want to do and he seems to be doing okay with it. Not perfect, but not as badly as Duane, so that's a plus for me.

I see you viewpoint and mostly agree. I'm not sure merit would be the best either, but I'm watching my airline change post new retirement age and it's not for the better. More of the good ones retire than the not so good. It's growing to look like the FA group. Some merit component would have to exist in a no age limit scenario.

Duane didn't lose two pilot groups' dues revenue out of the pot by messing with arbitration. I talk about retirement age a great deal, but that screw up on John's part was monumental.

 

[Flopgut]

Prater handed the USAirways pilot group to USAPA on a golden platter. If he stayed on as Pres after that, there's not much that can get him dismissed.

Very true.

I have always supported repealing Age 60 on principal, but only for folks who are still capable of doing the job. If you can't fly at 61, or 51 or 41, you should be given a chance to make up for that one bad day, but you shouldn't be allowed to coast along, enabled by programs like AQP.

The standards are tough enough, but the laxity to which some of the subjective standards are enforced is the issue.

That last sentence is especially good. And that is something that will absolutely have to be addressed if/when another attempt is made to increase the retirement age. If it had been part of the equation in changing 60 to 65 I believe Prater would have thought twice.

 

[Flightdawg]

Duane didn't lose two pilot groups' dues revenue out of the pot by messing with arbitration. I talk about retirement age a great deal, but that screw up on John's part was monumental.

If you want to put that on Prater, that's your choice, but I disagree.

IMHO, if there is blame to be laid, then I fault Prater, newly elected into office at the time, with not cracking down hard enough on the actions of the USAPA members operating under an ALPA flag. ALPA National has limited authority over an MEC, but they definitely have a strong say on who is a member. While the senior members of USAIR MEC may have still chosen to leave ALPA, at least Prater could have shut down those who were using ALPA funds to start their own union.

On a side note; I think it is funny to hear some of the same guys in the crew room who bitch about ALPA and how we need our own "regional" union then talk about a National seniority list. Go figure.

 

[wlacy]

Somebody told me prater is a trophy husband, living off his wife's salary. She is an anesthesiologist on the west coast. Ya buddy! I'm gonna be a trophy husband someday!

 

[AceCrackshot]

Really, who gives a damn?

 

[Flightdawg]

Somebody told me prater is a trophy husband, living off his wife's salary. She is an anesthesiologist on the west coast. Ya buddy! I'm gonna be a trophy husband someday!

Now I really do respect him. My wife only married me because I'm so good in bed.