Why I will vote ALPA at Skywest

[PCL_128]

All ALPA wants is Skywests Pilots money.

ALPA spends far more money on its regional carriers than it receives in dues money from them. Winning this vote will result in a net loss of money for the Association.

 

[SkyNation]

ALPA spends far more money on its regional carriers than it receives in dues money from them. Winning this vote will result in a net loss of money for the Association.

as un-trusting as you are of corporations and hierarchal organizations, do you really think that ALPA takes on regionals at a loss? surely there must be some benefit to them, their officers, presidents, etc.

 

[DashTrash400]

as un-trusting as you are of corporations and hierarchal organizations, do you really think that ALPA takes on regionals at a loss? surely there must be some benefit to them, their officers, presidents, etc.

You know who else I really don't trust? The Salvation Army. There's no way they're distributing clothes, food, and necessities to needy people for free. I'll bet they're really trying to lure them onto their super-secret underground lairs where they're performing medical experiments on them on behalf of big pharm!

On a less sarcastic note, there's absolutely a benefit to taking on Skywest at a monetary loss. It means there's not a big non-unionized regional out there to undercut all the ALPA-represented carriers, making it easier for ALPA to effectively represent all regionals.

 

[SkyNation]

so ALPA is a charity?

 

[PCL_128]

as un-trusting as you are of corporations and hierarchal organizations, do you really think that ALPA takes on regionals at a loss?

I don't just "think" it, I know it for a fact. I've seen the books. Remember, I was an ALPA Secretary-Treasurer. I know for a fact that we received far more money, to the tune of millions of dollars, than we ever paid in in dues revenue. Sorry, there's just no debate here. The facts are the facts.

surely there must be some benefit to them, their officers, presidents, etc.

The President and the rest of the Officers, as well as all of the staff and other reps, have fixed salaries. They receive no more money if Skywest organizes or if dues revenue is increased. There is absolutely no financial benefit to them personally if Skywest unionizes. They make the same money whether ALPA represents 42 airlines or just 4.

The benefit is simple: a single unified voice representing the air line pilot profession is best for all pilots. If that costs the Association a few million dollars, then so be it. It's worth it to bring this profession together so that we can continue to work towards improving it.

 

[SkyNation]

it seems that you believe ALPA can do no wrong. I don't think they are benevolent and altruistic as you imagine. nor as inclusive of 'all pilots.'

 

[DashTrash400]

it seems that you believe ALPA can do no wrong. I don't think they are benevolent and altruistic as you imagine. nor as inclusive of 'all pilots.'

It's not that ALPA is never wrong. They just have a lot less motivation to be wrong than management has!

 

[PCL_128]

it seems that you believe ALPA can do no wrong.

Of course ALPA has done wrong. Every organization is run by human beings, and human beings make mistakes. No organization, even your beloved Skywest, can be perfect.

I don't think they are benevolent and altruistic as you imagine. nor as inclusive of 'all pilots.'

I've spent tons of time working with these guys, and you know none of them. I think my perceptions of them are far more valid than yours. I can assure you that Prater has no ill intentions and only wants to do what is right for the Skywest pilots and the profession. He has no vested interest in doing anything else. It amazes me that you can trust Skywest management more than you trust your fellow pilots. Remember, ALPA is just pilots helping fellow pilots.

 

[DashTrash400]

I can assure you that Prater has no ill intentions and only wants to do what is right for the Skywest pilots and the profession.

Age 60 excepted, perhaps

 

[PCL_128]

Age 60 excepted, perhaps

No, I think he actually believes that he's doing the right thing on that. I certainly disagree with him, but he's doing what he thinks is right for the profession and for his members.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

it seems that you believe ALPA can do no wrong. I don't think they are benevolent and altruistic as you imagine. nor as inclusive of 'all pilots.'

So your belief is that BH and JA are more "benevolent and altruistic" and "inclusive of all pilots" than ALPA??

That's why we got 0% and 1%, after we dealt BH his ace????

 

[DashTrash400]

No, I think he actually believes that he's doing the right thing on that. I certainly disagree with him, but he's doing what he thinks is right for the profession and for his members.

Perhaps he thinks it's right for the profession as a whole, but it was a whole lot more right for the senior guys paying the most dues than it was for the majority of the membership, which gives credibility to otherwise ridiculous claims made by Skynation and his type that ALPA is all about the dues.

 

[PCL_128]

Perhaps he thinks it's right for the profession as a whole, but it was a whole lot more right for the senior guys paying the most dues than it was for the majority of the membership, which gives credibility to otherwise ridiculous claims made by Skynation and his type that ALPA is all about the dues.

It does no such thing. You just said that it only helps a small group instead of the overwhelming majority of the members. If that's the case, then if it was all about the dues, then he would be pandering to the overwhelming majority since they pay in far more in dues, even with lower average salaries, than a small group at the top does. Everyone needs to get this idea out of their heads that ALPA is all about dues. It simply has no basis in reality.

 

[Skaff]

This is actually the best pro-union argument I've heard so far. Spare me your ALPA uber alles lines and all that brotherhood BS--80,000 strong and every one of them ready to throw me under the bus! But I think I have come to the conclusion that SAPA just isn't working for us. Whether ALPA is the answer to that, I'm not sure yet. But thanks Skaff for some rational thought. It's refreshing amidst all this propaganda.

-Goose

Thanks

 

[SkyNation]

which gives credibility to otherwise ridiculous claims made by Skynation and his type that ALPA is all about the dues.

I never said that. I just don't view them with the same luster, perhaps.