I don't understand. So what you're saying is thank ALPA for trying to get you a better wage even though that same ALPA represented another pilot group to step in to take over you? Either you are not making sense or you just described the regional industry perfectly.
Actually, I don't blame ALPA for anything, because all they do in reality is facilitate an individual pilot group into negotiating whatever they deem as fair. The problem with the regionals, is they can easily be whipsawed against eachother to the point where they have to be CHEAPER than the next group or they lose their contracts. Since mainline dictates the schedule and pays the fuel, and sometimes aircraft leases, the only competitive advantage one company can produce over another is LABOR.
My only solution to this was that ALPA should have published a minimum standard by which contracts would be judged. Those below this standard would not be allowed ALPA benefits, which I would have included the jumpseat.
The jumpseat has allowed companies to startup at far below actual livable wage costs because aircrew just "jumps" to work and back and accepts constant base changes. If the minimum contract per ALPA was required to provide access to the jumpseat, then companies would pay what is required to meet that minimum, otherwise you would never find labor for VA, Jetblue, etc, let alone most of the regionals who base out of NYC, LA etc.
ALPA should define the "profession" and then hold professionals accountable for their wages.
Do you think a plumber in NYC working for a company that pays $5 per hour would be let into the union? Nope, and that company would have some big barriers to work around finding plumbers.
Just saying..... everyone wants to accept commuting across the country for subpar wages but then wonders why they continually get beat over the head for the last $.
If the regionals hate ALPA so much, they should form a regional union, fine. But their flying is always tied to what mainline is willing to give away, unless they start to actually market thier own product.
Luv