buzzpat

What happened to NewK's eye?

newKnow

Alfa,

Thanks for the kind words and apology. I don't think you needed to apologize at all, though. We all are very opinionated on here and I expect a little gamesmanship in debates. That's why I loved what Carl did. It was very effective. But, I do remember the discussion we had a while ago about winning at all cost, so it does not surprise me that you did apologize. You are a good guy and I thank you for your union work.

But, I think you are wrong in your analysis of the sentiments of the pilot group. Believe it or not, I run across a lot of people who are sorely unhappy with the direction of ALPA and most of them are more adamant about it than me. A good 1/4 of the people I run into are pushing the DPA to the max. I get approached all the time about the DPA. I also get, text messages and emails. I see stickers all over the place. What might surprise you though is that I push back on the DPA talk. (Look at my post in the first few pages of the DPA thread.)

About 1/2 crucify ALPA worse than I ever have on here. But, I believe that the blame for our predicament should be placed where it belongs: us. We voted for the ALPA leadership and allowed them to do what they did. We voted in every one of these contracts that allow us to be paid so much less than Southwest and allows RAH and AK tofly routes that we should be flying. We continue to do so and it is up to us to change it. Forums provide an excellent medium for us to do that.

As far as the DPA, they have never explained to me how if we elected the same people we wouldn't get the same results. Unfortunately, I have a partial answer for them. ALPA is too political and its structure is screwed up. Many people, including myself have tried to volunteer for ALPA. Many of us have run for positions, and submitted well thought out ideas, only to be turned down. I ran to be on a couple of committees. I submitted ideas for the bankruptcy negotiations. I submitted ideas for the merger. So, as with many, I decided I had to do other things and am wrapped up in them right now. When I get done though, I'll be back and I'll be looking to make some serious changes to how things are done at DALPA and National ALPA.

Unless the DPA can come up with an answer to my question first.

newKnow

Cough, cough. Nevermind. It's dirt.

satchip

Hey Buzz, Rep John Kline carried the football and he is now a Congressman. Why don't you run?

DAL 88 Driver

NewK,

I'll tell you what I think. And then I'll post a DPA FAQ that I think has some relevancy to your question.

I see a big part of the problem with DALPA is that (yes, even now) the agenda of the MEC Chairman and his administration is what's being followed. Like you said, it's become too political and the structure (while it's supposed to be "bottom up") is in reality "top down." We have elected some new reps who honestly want input from their pilots and fully intend to go forward with that input as their guide. Unfortunately, we also have a very disengaged, apathetic pilot group... so the input these reps get is very limited. What percentage of a council's pilots regularly communicate with their reps? I don't know the answer to that question, but I'll bet it is a shockingly low percentage. So... the input that these reps get may or may not match up with what you and I observe day in and day out flying the line. And absent a significant enough quantity of valid input, I think many times these reps end up falling in line with the agenda of the MEC Chairman and his administration. So it comes back to what you (I believe) very accurately stated... ALPA is too political and its structure is screwed up.

I think DPA has the potential to fix this in a couple of ways:
1) It removes the influence and conflict of interest from ALPA National (which I believe at least partially drives our MEC Chairman's agenda).
2) It removes one of the biggest reasons why individual line pilots are disengaged and apathetic. I think a new association with a compelling objective would motivate many in our pilot group to at the very least provide their input to their reps.

I see no reason why many of the same people who currently serve in ALPA could not serve in DPA. I have been told very directly by two different prominent DALPA officials that they would refuse to serve if DPA were elected. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. And that's fine with me. If they feel that way, I wouldn't want them serving as I believe they are the ones who would put a "top down" agenda ahead of the "bottom up" structure we are supposed to have. Eliminate those folks... and I just don't think it's an issue that "the same people" would be serving in DPA.

Here's the FAQ that I think helps add some perspective to what I'm saying:
__________________________________________________ ___________
I am a current ALPA Rep or Volunteer, but I want to support DPA, what should I do?

DPA is first and foremost interested in doing what is best for Delta Pilots. If you are in an elected position, DPA feels that you have an obligation to serve the Delta Pilots in that capacity until your term expires or DPA is successful. You are free to submit an Authorization Card, but we ask that you continue to serve the Delta Pilots in your current position. Your membership in DPA will be kept confidential as always. If you are a current Committee volunteer and wish to join DPA, you are free to do so as well. When considering whether or not to resign your volunteer position, first consider whether or not your position is critical to the daily operations of providing service to Delta Pilots. If your volunteer position is a critical one such as Safety, DPA feels the Delta Pilot group will be better served if you remain there until the transfer to DPA leadership is complete. The expertise of previous committee members is already present in the DPA Member population. They will pave the way for you to transfer into the DPA structure after the election is complete. As we stand up these critical committees, expect DPA representatives to reach out to you for coordination and relationship building. We want you to be confident that your expertise will be welcomed after the transition. We also want you to begin to take steps to secure data and assets that belong to the Delta Pilots. If you are in a non-critical committee position, resigning your position is at your discretion. If you are being asked to perform support functions that you no longer agree with, it is probably in the best interests of Delta Pilots for you to resign and then jump in headfirst into building DPA. The recent resignations (Jan 2011) of the Pilot to Pilot Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman are good examples of committee volunteer resignations that do not significantly damage service levels Delta Pilots are receiving at this time.

Again, make your decisions based on the framework of what is best for Delta Pilots. If you are unsure about whether or not you should resign, get in touch with us and we will help you analyze the situation. Thank you for your service to all Delta Pilots and we look forward to working with you in the months ahead!

buzzpat

What? And give up "The Dream?" And miss all the banter on APC?

Actually, mb some day. There's definitely a shortage of conservatives out here in CA and it comes up every so often. My wife would kill me though.

fartboxflyer

nahhh that stuff stinks too you shouldn't watch that stuff dude
it may brainwash you into being a capitalist.

Carl Spackler

Fear not. I'm sure NewK meant it in the most manliest and studliest way possible!

Carl

Carl Spackler

alfaromeo translation: I really screwed up by saying what I said about our pilot group and people who visit forums. When Carl used my exact words against me, it embarrassed me. Please accept this attempt of mine to correct the record and ignore my previous intemperate and degrading posts.

I'm going to start charging for these translation services if this keeps up alfa!

Carl

Carl Spackler

Horrible news in Tuscaloosa just now. Deeply sorry for all the Alabama alums and fans. Prayers your way.

Carl