Sounds like only 1/6 of the pilot group gives a crap about SAPA...and even that's probably stretching it!
Maybe the pilots at Skywest realize that SAPA is just a pawn for management and want a real vote for ALPA representation?
Guys, this is the same apathetic attitude that likely resulted in a pretty mediocre showing for something as important as our last pay package. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "I hate SAPA, so I'm going to protest by not even voting on this garbage pay package." Guys, please believe me when I tell you that the appearance of laziness or apathy will not serve the purpose you desire.
If you are unimpressed with SAPA (and who isn't!?), start a campaign to get the bylaws changed so Scott Mitchell, or one of the other well-spoken vocal pro-ALPA guys has a chance. As it is, with the system we currently have, the most positive thing SGU could see is a 100% voter turnout. If there's anything that could get SGU to change their tone towards this pilot group it is the appearance that this group actually cares what happens to them.
As it is, with pathetic voter turn-out, it appears to SGU, and to me frankly, that this pilot group in general is happy with status quo; "Whatever SGU decides to give us is fine by me. They treat us pretty well, don't they?"
If you don't want your lack of a vote to be chalked up by BH to the attitude above, I recommend a vote. If we as a pilot group want to send a message to SGU, I think a 99.9% vote for BS would at least clue them in that we are unhappy with our current unelected president.
I'm not interested in telling people how to vote, but the system only works when we take an interest in our representative structure. Seggy and Aloft, if you guys are as frustrated with SAPA as you appear, I certainly hope you have volunteered to be on the OC. I hope you've made it to one of the training events recently. If not, your philosophy sounds like a justification for laziness. There's too much apathy in this pilot group and not enough action.
Am I frustrated that our current structure is not truly representative of my needs and desires? Yes. Do I recognize the need for legitimate representation? Most definitely. Still, however, you have to recognize that the ALPA drive may not succeed. If it doesn't, the president we elect this month could be the one under which we negotiate our next pay agreement. Do you want him to have some political capital when he goes to do that? Do you think SGU is going to take him as seriously when they know he only received a handful of votes and that most of our pilots didn't even care to vote?
Lastly, if you choose to not vote as a message of some sort, I hope at least that you will accompany your non-vote with a letter to the SAPA Executive Board explaining your choice. Anything less is too easy to misconstrue as acceptance of status quo as an acceptable path forward.