BlackKnight

Don't forget- how about a port-o-john in your office?

Two big things discussed recently I fully agree with:

1. ALPA hires a shark law firm to negotiate for us. A team of lawyers with pilot advisors, not the other way around.

2. Negotiate the big 3 and any major QOL concessions, then work on the piddly crap.

One way we can affect change now, IMO, is to vote no and fly the contract, especially through peak. That's how I voted and how I plan on working.

busdriver12

That's interesting, never heard of that law firm. That would explain a lot, if they all have the same attorneys running the show.

Raptor

They have 27 field offices. Previous APC posts show they are at most every airline. And even when they are not outside consultants, many of them are direct hires at airlines and the simply USED to work at Ford and Harrison.

These lawyers list their job history when they attend conferences, are speakers, in linked in, and in news articles posted on the firm's website. They have a huge influence. Google the law firm and the name of any airline or commuter and you'll get page after page of hits.

busdriver12

That's just depressing.

tomgoodman

It's also where mergers are hatched:

"Horton and Parker started their airline careers together in the 1980s, sitting practically side-by-side in cubicles at American Airlines' headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. And they've remained friends.

The first conversation the two had about a possible merger took place in September, when Horton was still just American's president. Horton wouldn't say where they met but two people familiar with the situation said it was at the A Bar A Ranch, a 100,000-acre retreat in southern Wyoming during an exclusive gathering of top airline executives informally known as "conquistadores del cielo," or the conquerors of the skies. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the executive meeting is supposed to be a secret. The discussion between Horton and Parker occurred during a barbeque lunch along the banks of the North Platte River."

--AP 7/25/12

GetRealDude

ALPA National and FDX ALPA are all aware of Ford/Harrison and what they bring to the table.

The ALPA model of pilots negotiating contracts is a historical pillar of the original founders. Guess what? Maybe it was good enough then but times change. Paradigm shifts and new perspectives are needed. I personally think the individual pilot groups should be free to hire their own negotiating attorney firm with pilot oversight OR ALPA should have an outside firm retained for that purpose.

The corporate advantages in place are significant. That needs to change. It's our dues money, we should be able to decide.

MaydayMark

Maybe all the FDX pilots could pool their MetLife prepaid legal insurance benefits and hire a retired Ford & Harrison attorney?

Or ... maybe some kid straight out of law school that would give us a good rate just to get some contract negotiating experience?

GetRealDude

Screw that ... Any prominent divorce attorney in Memphis could get it done. Plenty of FDX guys can attest to that concept.

iarapilot

Likewise here. Unfortunately, I feel that we have many that dont get it.

And for the counter argument...yea yea.

RedeyeAV8r

Not spooky, it's reality. Have you ever heard of the ATA? Airline Transport Association, or as Many put it The Airline Management"s Union.
They get together and talk all the time and certainly exchange ideas.

It's No surprise that DALPA, SWAPA and us are seeing similarities.

Remember the Old and Simple Rule. If Management(s) wants it, it's Bad for us.