rjlavender

Mark,

I take very few things seriously and I see humor in just about everything. However, the above suggestion about my conduct is quite misleading. Those who know me know that I never assume the fetal position while screaming "Oh no! It's those voices again!". I am totally against the fetal position except for fetuses. Regarding the toilet paper in the fitting room, that happened only once and it got blown out of proportion.

Another thing that humors me is the notion that pilots want "better communication" from union officials. No, many do not. Rather, what they want is communication that does not rock their world. I have known this for 25 years, ever since I was doing communications for the pilots during the Lorenzo episode. We have decades of understanding on what pilots want to read, hear, and think, and, rarely, does it include the truth. And, this goes for union officials as much as it does for rank-and-file members. Hence the popular notion about pilots "sticking their heads in the sand" and hoping it will all just go away.

Please consider this perspective: Several years ago, as an ALPA member, I tried to publish two articles in ALPA periodicals. One in particular was rejected because part of it dissented from ALPA policy on the Age 60 rule. As a result, I self-published two letters on the subject that LT and I stuffed in more than 4000 pilot mailboxes...twice. These articles took a rational approach to the Age 60 dilemma suggesting that not only were global conditions forcing a change but that there were ways to make the change palatable to the pilots...IF WE GOT OUT IN FRONT OF IT AND TOOK CONTROL OF THE ISSUE. I know that some readers will remember my description of the matter as an "impending train wreck." They chided me about it right here on this board during the calm before the storm. But, sadly, many pilots were so resistant to change that they could not see the truth-train coming down the track even when it was staring them in the face with its horn blasting.

For my effort at "better communications," I received 30 or 40 hate mails in my box calling me a "moron" (sound familiar?) and worse. While there was no doubt in my mind, whatsoever, that a change was imminent, many pilots did not want to deal with the truth, they only wanted comfort food. Thus, a huge opportunity was lost and Age 60 ended up controlling our profession rather than the other way around--not to mention the resulting hostility and mistrust caused by both poor leadership and followership on this issue.

"Better communications" is a popular catchphrase used by politicians who want to buy time and popularity. It works every time on pilots. The slogan gives "hope," and that is what the pilots want, even if it is empty and baseless hope. Man! Was it not comforting to hear union officials and, even, management say that it would take years more for the Age 60 rule to change? Unfortunately, their musings were baseless. The fact is that ALPA is, indeed, communicating everything it has to offer. The difficulty lies in the fact that ALPA just does not have anything meaningful to say that will help pilots achieve greater solidarity. Union officials, along with the general membership, love the status quo, and they will attempt to silence any form of dissent from it. If you want true life-altering help in creating significant solidarity, you must turn to outsiders. Better "com" alone will not cut it.

Sincerely,

Bob

AerisArmis

Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z

de727ups

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