Fellow pilot,
We're guessing you’re as fed up with the masses of mail arriving from ALPA as we are. The recycling bin is filled with unopened, very expensive materials, paid for out of our dues. This is all so that, quoting the ALPA President, “our fellow pilots will realize how much they are valued as our Union sisters and brothers." We're feeling the love. As a fellow pilot commented, “If ALPA is that great, why do they have to spend my dues money to send me (stuff) telling me how great they are? Wouldn't we know it already?â€
Rather than add to the inundation of your mailbox with multiple mailings, we thought we'd send you a bit of a "clean-up" piece, addressing (roughly in reverse order of receipt) the various missives we've seen. Because this update deals with many subjects, it jumps around just a bit; we were as succinct as possible dealing with each item but there are a few… here we go…
We’ve just become aware of the fact that an old internal email in which we are discussing our progress with insurance products and Aeromedical was apparently made public. Aside from the error someone made in putting it out, the email simply shows the level of concern we’ve had that the pilots receive the products and services they deserve. Some of this has been, as you can imagine, long and hard work, and not without bumps in the road that, at the time, caused us concern; sometimes one has to light a big fire to get things moving. Bottom line, the email’s moot; ALPA said we’d never get the insurance. We got it. ALPA said we’d never get the Aeromedical. We got it, along with our own Aeromedical doctor, and we’re proud of how hard we’re working on behalf of the pilots. Much ado about nothing.
Speaking of emails, as we were putting the finishing touches on this one we received a plea from the ALPA CO MEC Chairman. Ironically, we have received several contacts from both CO and NWA pilots interested in decertifying ALPA. Further, just hours after the Chairman’s letter arrived, we received a detailed letter from a CO Line Pilot that he titled, “The Truth About ALPA at Continental.†We believe you will find it very enlightening; it is attached and you can also click here to read it.
Again referencing the CO Chairman’s letter, we believe that US Airways pilots have already formed their own opinion as to whether “ALPA is the better choice to safeguard and advance (our) futures and (our) families’ futures.†This goes hand-in-hand with another dues-supported ALPA piece that goes on at length about ALPA advice. It is our belief that the pilots of US Airways are more than capable of determining for themselves the quality of the advice and support they have received from ALPA; after all, we're reminded every 15th and 30th, and will get another big reminder the day we "retire."
With regard to legalities, we're guessing none of the professional pilots at this airline have found it necessary to drop a dime (anytime in their career) to ALPA National to find out if they're legal to fly. Should a pilot have a question regarding legality, USAPA has the very same toll-free Contract Hotline support that has been in place for years.
Pilots are reminded that their membership standing with ALPA has no bearing on their right to vote in the upcoming election – all pilots have a right to vote. If you have not received your Voting Instructions from the NMB, please immediately open the attachment (or click here) and follow the instructions to requesting duplicate Voting Instructions.
Recently, in a transparent attempt to reduce decades of failed representation down to a few sound bites, the ALPA MEC Chairman suggested a debate. In his letter there were a couple of comments with which we agree, and those are that, "...there exists an alarming level of misinformation..." and, "... pilots have the right to make an informed decision before they cast their vote." Ironically, the misinformation referenced is not emanating from USAPA; space does not permit us to list the dues-supported misinformation the pilot group receives several times per day. The pilots have everything before them to decide whether maintaining the status quo is in their best interest, and they will inform us of that decision on April 17th.
Regretfully, in a recent communication, ALPA has again decided to resort to fear, innuendo and outright falsehoods. Attempting to tie ALPA's negotiating failure known as LOA 93 to USAPA, they say that it's "no secret" that certain groups will have positions of influence at USAPA. We find this interesting on several levels. First, negotiating at USAPA will be done by a professional negotiator. Second, while it will be up to the Board of Pilot Reps to choose the members of the Negotiating Advisory Committee and therefore we do not yet know the makeup of that committee, there are a couple of things we do know - you won't being seeing the current ALPA Negotiating Committee Chairman's name in the USAPA roster anytime soon, and the former Negotiating Committee Chairman indicated some time ago that the pilots would be better served by "new faces" and therefore requested that he not be considered. We agreed. Finally, we will let the pilots make their own judgment as to the talent pool at USAPA (click here for the latest USAPA staffing and structure).
If you sort through your recycling bin, you'll find a recent ALPA mailing making it clear that the current ALPA R&I Reps have decided their allegiance belongs to ALPA and not the pilots. The other issues raised in that missive were addressed previously by Empowered Benefits, one of the service administrators chosen by USAPA. (Click here to read.) Addressing the cost of plan administration, "Fees charged to the USAPA plan may be less than or more than those being charged to the ALPA plan (depending on money managers used, the mix of investments chosen by plan participants, etc), but should not differ, either more or less, from fees being charged to the ALPA plan by more than 10 basis points (1/10 of 1%). The money management companies work for the retirement plan sponsor and the relationship can be terminated or altered by the plan fiduciaries at their discretion."
Pilots are reminded to return their USAPA Membership and Dues Check-off forms as soon as possible (please see attached). Dues check-off will not start until after USAPA is elected, and ALPA dues check-off will terminate automatically, there is no overlap. LTD and MIL pilots are exempt from dues. If you still have it, please use the envelope provided in the mailing 2 weeks ago, if not, please send to the address at the bottom of each form (one envelope is fine). It is important to get these forms in prior to April 17th to be sure pilots are included in pre-paid services such as Aeromedical. Dues check-off is a personal decision. The Officers of USAPA are asking that you please choose dues check-off initially... if you want to opt out later you can do so. It is important to get our cash flow up and running when we take office.
ALPA continues to discuss “circuit breakers†and “firewalls,†images designed to make you feel safe, and insinuating that the Award can somehow be put into effect after a USAPA win. This is, quite simply, false. Please read “The Myth of Separate Operations†for more information.
We understand emotions are running high amongst all pilots and we ask everyone to continue to demonstrate the utmost professionalism as the turning point for US Airways pilots approaches. USAPA does not condone inappropriate communication of any type, and this includes inappropriate communications between union leaders and management. Regarding stickers and lanyards, proudly display your lanyard if you like - or not (we have many "stealth" supporters which suits us just fine!) Bag tags & stickers are all great, again, if you like. A reminder though, please do not post stickers of any type on Company or other property (such as in hotels or jetways). We ask that if you find stickers inappropriately posted (regardless of the source), you remove them.
Paraphrasing ALPA’s missive on “The Contract You Deserve,†It’s been 30 months since US Airways emerged from bankruptcy and merged with America West. In the meantime, ALPA has demonstrated they are hopelessly deadlocked, unable to produce anything but empty promises and innuendo.
Benjamin Franklin said it best, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.â€
It’s time to try something new. Join us.
It's a simple lack of trust.
Sound wisdom sir. It seems that we've an actual accord on a vital issue about living life 
