76drvr

I hear what you are saying about guarantees, in that they don't have a track record to point to as an organization, and I know that there are no guarantees that they could do better, that's why I said with some semblance of assurance. I guess the best way to do start would be by listing what it is that each member of their committee structure brings to the organization, kind of a resume, posting their individual DPA e-mail addresses and allow us to question them in a free and open forum online, kind of like "committee corner". That's how we can tell if these guys are for real, know the issues, how they interact with line pilots or whether they are just names on a web board who nobody knows.

Take this as input.

76drvr

Different stroke for different folks, but having been here a while and seen that it has not had an effect on our various leadership teams over several administrations, with vary different styles and relationships, I don't think that 24J is an issue. Of course agree to disagree.

Carl Spackler

That's a great idea.

Carl

Carl Spackler

It sure is an issue today. I believe it was one of the reasons the MEC used to kill our flight pay loss resolution. What on Earth must they be afraid of that makes them hide the records of flight pay loss? How could you just kill a resolution of transparency demanded by the members you represent?

This is a bigger issue than any of the concerns you've raised about DPA. I would tell you to consider it input, but I know our MEC doesn't do input. Only output.

Carl

scambo1

In a way, DPA is a leap of faith, or a leap away from something you have lost faith in...ALPA Nat'l. DPA is probably something a little more like DALPA without the ALPA. IMO, DPA can't show anything until it has had an opportunity to be voted on. The arguement that they should marshall their constituents to make changes within the current DALPA structure is not being pursued due to the religious-like belief that the structure is already corrupted.

OTOH, I personally do see some value in flexing the constituent muscle now as we move toward a vote.

In fairness, there have been some DPA missteps, IMO not from TC the founder, but from some of the initial committee volunteers. In large part I think that is because people volunteered for the positions and let their anti-ALPA passion get in the way of common sense.

DALPA seems to like the uninvolved masses, DPA doesn't. They want to involve every DPA cardholder to help positively recruit new cardholders. TC's efforts are very grass root, very very grass root.

There are things DALPA has done that I completely disagree with, but I am not indicting DALPA. For me, I just no longer see any value added by being a part of ALPA national. Delta pilots are a large group within Nat'l, but I have no doubt our careers are negatively impacted by the absolute requirement of Nat'l to watch out for the careers of competing interests. There is much more negative I could say about nat'l, but this is for me enough to request a divorce.

The decision to send in a card is a no jeopardy personal decision. If the concern over section 6 timing is all that is holding someone back, I would submit that that is absolutely the wrong motivation for your long term career.

OccupyRestSeat

How much do DALPA reps get on their dues-funded, non-transparent debit card accounts? I heard about this the other day for the first time.

Why do we continue to employ an agent so totally opposed to openness and transparency?

TheManager

Does it matter how much is on the card? You hit the nail on the head in regards to openness/transparency. Where did the funds come from that back that card?

This is important:

DALPA and DAL have close relationship that contain rewards. Kind of like rewards that governments provide to other governments. All aid money is dispersed not to alleviate poverty, but to purchase loyalty and influence.

Think about that. Now we all know why FPL is such a third rail political issue. We can not succeed if we are not unifed or have effective leadership. We can not be unifed or led when there is question as to the loyalty and influence of our leadership.

I'd rather pay more dues money and cover FPL (with a monthly accounting) than have DAL in the equation. Think of the impact a change like this would have.

DAL 88 Driver

You know, I never really thought about this that much. But that could explain a lot. Scary.

TheManager

I am not concerned about the past administrations. I concerned about the present one. The one that is supposed to insure that we are unifed so that we can attain the best contract we can.

Are they presently more concerned about their own interests, or ours. Are they fighting for us or their political survival? They have a lot to lose.

This is important:

DALPA and DAL have a close relationship that contain rewards. Kind of like rewards that governments provide to other governments. All aid money is dispersed not to alleviate poverty, but to purchase loyalty and influence.

Think about that. Now we all know why FPL is such a third rail political issue. We can not succeed if we are not unified or have effective leadership. We can not be unified or led when there is question as to the loyalty and influence of our leadership.

I'd rather pay more dues money and cover FPL (with a monthly accounting) than have DAL in the equation. Think of the impact a change like this would have.

Bill Lumberg

I guess almost 4000 pilots are wrong. You have to admit that ALPA has a big conflict of interest with the RJ community (can't represent both interests which absolutely conflict). Also, a lot of what ALPA has (like ALPA medical) is actually contracted out. We can have the same people at ALPA medical at the DPA. We need someone who will focus on OUR needs, and I pay enough money to have my "agent" fight for ME, not RJ operators. We paid $38 million in dues last year to ALPA (just Delta pilots), and we received about $9 million in actual services. Where did the rest of the money go? To cover the RJ operators who's dues couldn't pay for squat, and the Canadian Metroliner people (Bearskin Airlines), and others. I want my needs focused on, because I am paying for it. And the people "on the screen" have street cred too.

I know Dalpa will start this contract negotiation, and if they hand us a weak TA (and we know Delta is making big money these days, heck, they just threw $100 million at GOL Airlines), then there is no doubt that the number of people signed up for the DPA will double, and a vote will happen. No pressure DALPA----bring the goods or move over.