sandman2122

Dave Webb said you can expect the "Pro 65" lobbying groups to immediately start on pushing the retirement age beyond 65............but hey, lets get onboard for THAT TOO so we can control the eventual outcome - regardless what the MAJORITY wants..

I was told that Dave even has a "Fly Until You Die" sticker on his flight bag.......looks like his mind is made up.

What was Walley doing there last night - I thought HE got recalled?

capt_zman

Anybody ask anything about:

1. Getting rid of the VEBA via LOA
2. Getting rid of the other over 50 windfalls in the contract via LOA
3. ALPA's stance on our B fund implications.
4. Over 60's bidding back to a front seat - do they need a vacancy/excess bid or do they get carte blanche
5. Getting our scope money back.
6. Implications with the over 60 capt and under 60 fo. Any ideas?

Bitme

I wasn't even there, but at least I know that Wally did not run for reelection so wasn't recalled and I believe the new terms begin June 1 so he should have been there. All you do is show your ignorance with statements like this. Also I have/had a fly til you die sticker on my bag an am against raising the age; this sticker came about in regard to onerous scheduling and the optimizer well before raising the age became such a forefront issue. Again showing your ...oh never mind, I'm tired of buffoons.

fdx727pilot

1 no
2 no
3 yes, no immediate answers, as future IRS actions are unknown, but it's in the CBA for next 4 1/2 years

4 no
5 no
6 no

ideas? not a one, but I'm old and senile.

fdx727pilot

I'm with Bitme, plus, even if Wally was no longer an officer, he's a member with as much right to speak as any other, including some of the idiots in the audience last night.

Falconjet

I don't think that is a grey area. If they haven't retired DW is in favor of them exercising their seniority rights any way they choose.

Whether or not the language of any change will allow that is another thing.

FJ

Falconjet

I too was pretty upset with the tone of DW's email the other day and I attended the meeting last night. Although I wasn't as smitten with DW's responses as SomeGuy was, I at least understand DW's position better.

My take: ALPA National and Capt Prater have been back-dooring this thing all along and now they are coming out in the open and asking us to help them fast track the issue. I simply don't believe that we won't have a voice if we continue to oppose the change.

DW and the rest of the pro-change MEC and national officers believe that we are better off with a NPRM process of change as opposed to the legislation that is pending in the FAA reauthorization bill. I can buy that. They also maintain that our best chance of stopping the legislative efforts of Congress and influencing the NPRM process is to suddenly change our 50 year history of opposition to the age change. This I don't buy.

So, if we want to have the FAA make the change and hopefully include language that protects our disability and pension programs we need to suddenly pretend like we are in favor of the change. That is what they are going to do regardless of the results of the polls they have been taking because that is what all their advisers and lobbyists in DC are telling them to do.

FJ

Falconjet

DW is also on the Executive Board of ALPA as an MEC president. That Board represents ALPA National, as in all of ALPA's membership. DW said that without FedEx pilots included, ALPA national membership is split 50-50 on the age 60 issue. FedEx is about 70-30 against. The Executive Board is going to meet next week to decide if ALPA National's official stance on Age 60 should change based on the input they have gotten from their lobbyists and specialists in DC (that a change IS going to occur regardless and we need to be onboard in order to participate in the change process) and regardless of the results of the two polls recently conducted.

DW said that he was going to vote in favor of changing official ALPA policy in support of the Age 60 change. He was asked point blank how he could make such a recommendation in light of the FedEx pilot's overwhelming support against a change and he said that it was the right thing to do.

The other area he said he would be differing with FedEx pilots' desires is in regard to retro-activity. The Northwest MEC is the only one hardover against retro-activity. He is going to lobby for that (with an admitted slim chance of success) despite the will of FedEx membership again because it is the right thing to do.

How we can find the strength to do the right thing in this small measure but ignore the right thing in the big picture (supporting the change in the first place) is beyond me.

He said that if he gets recalled because he did the right thing for those on our seniority list than he can live with that.

I hope he means it because after we (ALPA) cave on this issue and the junior guys still get hosed, if there even is still an ALPA to worry about he may very well be recalled.

FJ

BoilerUP

I'm (obviously) not at FedEx, but it troubles me that the leadership of one of the most powerful airlines in ALPA is moving the way it seems to be...counter to the desires of the group.

At least they've got the stones to tell it to you straight though...

Falconjet

One more thing about last night that really infuriated me is the fact that DW and the other pro-change crowd refuse to admit that his change will have a negative impact on the junior members. Yes he admits that the change is coming from external forces and that it sucks, but he doesn't sell that very well because you can tell that he is really in favor of the change. He said that everyone, particularly the junior folks, will get another 5 years of earnings to recoup lost pensions from their former carrier or make their high 5. A couple of folks in the audience stated the obvious that sure they'll get 5 more years, but it will be as an FO. He seems to think that most guys won't be able to hold the class 1 medical that will be required or won't want to go to training so the impact probably will be minimal and likely none at all.

I guess he hasn't taken a look at the training letters in the -10 and 72 lately because they are full of over 60 guys going to the back in hopes of making it back into the left seat.

If he wants to talk about unity and respect he ought to at least be honest enough to publicly acknowledge the fact that this is a windfall for the senior guys who we just propped up in the last contract and a definite blow to the career progression to those who are not yet widebody Captains. The senior pro change crowd refuses to even admit that some will suffer while they gain and that is what really makes my blood boil.

They want our support down the line to continue to protect their retirement benefits (that don't even want to use) but they won't even sweet talk or kiss us after they finish up spuging up our backs. Unity has to be a two way street, and they are only going one way.

FJ