Join the Delta Pilots Association

I have been a frustrated and dissatisfied ALPA member. Despite attempts to promote transparency, a collaborative approach with the membership and more satisfying union responsiveness to pilot input, I have seen inadequate change within ALPA. Therefore, I have made the decision to support the Delta Pilots Association’s (DPA’s) effort in bringing an independent pilot union to Delta Air Lines.

This has not been an easy decision. I have been a committed ALPA volunteer. Since our bankruptcy in 2005, I have served as a Pilot-to-Pilot member, Vice Chairman of MEC Communications and Chairman of Pilot-to-Pilot (P2P). From within the union I had hoped to encourage greater input from line pilots, an approach to communication that sought greater understanding between pilots and union leaders and a leadership that was more open to using technology as a bridge to improved communications. Results show these were not priorities of our union leaders.

For the past year I have worked from outside of the Union structure to foster transformation in a couple of ways; one of which was by sponsoring LEC Council Resolutions. Two of these resolutions were passed unanimously by our two largest councils only to be “Received” and largely ignored by the union leadership. (Since March, the MEC has stated an intent to not “Receive” Council resolutions, yet when I asked my Council Chairman to have the exact same MEC re-visit these 2 resolutions he said that they would have to be brought before the Council and voted on again!) I have also created a blog and email list to circumvent the tight control ALPA maintains (with management help) over the Delta Pilots ability to communicate more openly with one another (i.e. line pilots have no right to access to pilot mail boxes or bulletin boards for the purpose of working together, not even on Council resolutions.) ALPA has recently made cosmetic changes that provide an appearance of changing their approach to communication with the membership, but in my opinion falls far short of what is possible.

What have I wanted to see from ALPA?

•Transparency – Show us where our money goes. Tell us when and what we are negotiating with management. Provide the membership with access to the same detailed (non-confidential) information about our company and industry that the MEC sees. Use technology to bring greater real-time union participation to pilots residing and working in all parts of the globe.
•Collaboration – Why is ALPA so reluctant to create ways to better harness and utilize the experience and ideas of those closest to the operation; the Line Pilots? No one is suggesting pure democracy. But there is a better way to use the resources of 12,000 highly educated pilots with a vast diversity of experience.
•Improved Communication – How does a union seek a return of losses in Bankruptcy without listing losses goals for its members and management to see? Leaders should be more interested (not defensive and combative) in listening member input.
•End Conflicts of Interest – how can a National Union fairly represent competing interests? Our lawyers, financial analysts, and others represent both Delta Pilots and the regional carriers that want our flying. Sharing ALPA employees in negotiations is a conflict of interest. Working collaboratively with other carriers on safety and legislative affairs is a good idea but we need a go-it-alone approach in other areas.

Sadly ALPA has not been able to provide these things, which is why I believe it is time to support a new, independent union, the Delta Pilots Association. DPA is a work in progress. Is it the organization to make vast improvements worthy of replacing ALPA? It is certainly possible and time will tell. I know it will only happen with Delta Pilot involvement and support. Join the dialogue, spread the word, sign up new members, join a committee, discuss and help craft by-laws. Our futures can be in our hands.

By joining DPA you can help create a union that better serves you and your fellow Delta Pilots.