Quote:
Originally Posted by WacoFan  I am almost sure ALPA is doing this as any sophisticated organization would. |
I'm pretty sure that all of this is tracked, and it can probably be accessed by the members with a simple request to Herndon. ALPA will even open their entire accounting books to any member if he just makes a request and comes to Herndon.
Quote:
|
As for the Colgan issue - that makes sense, although I didn't know that it would cost you money. Is this only at first for start-up, or will a small pilot group always be a drain? I can see ALPA saying "CJC is going to cost us money in year one relative to dues, but over five years we will be cash-flow neutral on them"...I would have a hard time understanding "CJC is going to cost us money and will continue to cost us money with no possibility of recouping our services/investment in them.
|
Nope, that's a permanent condition. It's actually that way with almost every non-legacy carrier. The legacy pilot groups basically subsidize the rest of the union. Even large regional groups with higher average incomes like Expressjet just barely cover their own expenses. MECs like Pinnacle and ASA are a net loss to the Association, and really small MECs like the new Commutair group are a big cash drain. It's not the normal day-to-day operation expenses that take them into the red, it's the contract negotiations and SPC activities that come along every few years. Waging a contract negotiations fight over 3-5 years takes millions of dollars, even for a small pilot group. The regionals never bring in enough revenue to cover the costs. ALPA is willing to lose money on these pilot groups because they realize that having as many groups under one union umbrella as possible will allow them to raise the entire profession much easier. A rising tide lifts all boats, if you will.