[ATN_Pilot]

Originally Posted by CAPIP1998

It is very clear that the PNCL pilot's want a list merger, which is what you perceive is best for you. That does not necessarily mean that a list merger is best for CJC.

A list merger would be best for everyone, including you. Without a merger, a never-ending whipsaw will take place. Phildo will transfer airplanes back and forth, threaten furloughs at one while hiring at the other, etc... The only way to stop this is one list.

I think the major problem (and why we get into these much heated discussions) is that the CJC pilots (myself included) do not know that the interests of PNCL pilots are the same as the CJC pilots. They may be, they may not be (although it's highly doubtful in my opinion).

I believe your interests are absolutely the same, but for the sake of argument, let's assume they aren't. Under ALPA, who represents your interests? Your own MEC! ALPA National doesn't get involved in telling you what to do, they only provide resources that your MEC requests. So, if you have different interests than the PCL pilots, then your MEC will protect your interests while the PCL MEC protects their interests. ALPA National doesn't get involved at the local level. It is always your pilots representing you.

Secondly, I have read over and over that we (CJC pilots) need to be educated on the benefits of ALPA, and that we cannot state specific reasons for not wanting ALPA represent us. To this let me say that we do not live in a vacuum, and many of us have friends and family that work for airlines that are represented by ALPA. Many people are not happy with the way that ALPA has represented them, and they have "educated" us as well.

And the sad truth is, most of those people couldn't even tell you valid reasons that they are unhappy with ALPA. They blame ALPA for things that are caused by the Bush Administration or the NMB, they complain about ALPA not striking because they don't know that the RLA prohibits a strike, etc... The next time one of your relatives or friends starts complaining about ALPA, ask them what the difference between the RLA and NLRA is. If they can't answer the question, then they really aren't qualified to criticize the actions of their union.

To be clear, is there some way that a list merger could be forced upon us, and will it happen? I think this question goes to the heart of why so many CJC pilots fear ALPA representation.

If management decides to merge the list, then there's nothing that the Teamsters could do to stop it if they represent you. It's all up to management.