The pilot shortage is over:
04-23-2024, 03:57 PM
#512
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2022
Position: 787 FO
Posts: 634
I was opposed to age 65 and did what I could to oppose it though I was relatively new to ALPA politics. My memory is a bit foggy, but I remember thinking the survey was designed to get the answer some wanted. That didn’t work and I don’t rule out a wink and a nod by John Prater and some others. But what I remember most is how engaged the pilots who wanted 65 were as opposed to those of us who opposed it. Also, ICAO already being at 65 minimized the operational issues so I don’t think airline managements opposed it. That might be the most important difference between then and now.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
04-23-2024, 05:44 PM
#513
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2023
Posts: 213
I was opposed to age 65 and did what I could to oppose it though I was relatively new to ALPA politics. My memory is a bit foggy, but I remember thinking the survey was designed to get the answer some wanted. That didn’t work and I don’t rule out a wink and a nod by John Prater and some others. But what I remember most is how engaged the pilots who wanted 65 were as opposed to those of us who opposed it. Also, ICAO already being at 65 minimized the operational issues so I don’t think airline managements opposed it. That might be the most important difference between then and now.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
04-23-2024, 06:07 PM
#514
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,891
But please tell me... having bearing on this conversation, how do you justify ALPA's actions in 2007 when it went against the wishes of the majority of membership with respect to Age 60? I refuse to buy the notion that "we wanted to have a say in implementation..." as if ALPA would somehow be "punished" for representing the will of its membership?
.
.
I still think due to the abysmal state of the pilot market at that time, ALPA should have pivoted and lobbied for a phased in extension, like one year retirement age raise every two so that there weren't select winners with 5yrs of seniority all the while furloughs and stagnation for everyone else. I emailed my rep with that suggestion, but apparently it wasn't popular.
04-24-2024, 03:06 PM
#517
Moderator
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,815
For the record, I have no issues with anyone who wants 67, or expresses that to anyone including Congress. Litigation, however is across the line. That’s needlessly costing my dues dollars to defend. Big difference.
04-24-2024, 03:27 PM
#518
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2023
Posts: 213
Sorry you missed it the pilot shortage is over!
04-24-2024, 09:19 PM
#519
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2022
Position: 756FO
Posts: 104
I was opposed to age 65 and did what I could to oppose it though I was relatively new to ALPA politics. My memory is a bit foggy, but I remember thinking the survey was designed to get the answer some wanted. That didn’t work and I don’t rule out a wink and a nod by John Prater and some others. But what I remember most is how engaged the pilots who wanted 65 were as opposed to those of us who opposed it. Also, ICAO already being at 65 minimized the operational issues so I don’t think airline managements opposed it. That might be the most important difference between then and now.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
My biggest problem with the age 67 pilots is how they went about this. They went around the union before we had any contracts. Then, when ALPA’s BOD voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan that included keeping the age at 65 they began a PR campaign that undermined and vilified our union even as ALPA delivered on contracts. They also partnered with some of unions most ardent and powerful enemies. We, pilots, don’t like politics, but they are a fact of life. Too many pilots seem to look for excuses to bash our union rather than supporting it even when we don’t get our way.
For 92 years ALPA has been a preeminent advocate for airline safety while setting the standard for pilot pay, benefits and job security throughout the world. All the while carrying the dead weight of union hating pilots.
04-24-2024, 09:24 PM
#520
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2022
Posts: 862
Theyd be getting five times the amount of dues out of Canada if there was a retirement age at 65. They’d have much more leverage to push for better contracts.
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