Velo, as always, you are the man!
Thank you. Kudos gratefully accepted.
But Velo, don't you realize that defending your "right" to putt around the sky in a 152 for virtually free is more important than actually making a living so you can afford to support your GA hobby in the first place? Silly air line pilot.
What was I thinking? :banghead:
Since when has support for user fees equated to "hating" GA? Does someone "hate" cars if they like the ideas of toll roads? Does someone "hate" fishing if they support the idea of requiring a fishing license?
Because you're either for me or against me. If you're against me, you hate me. Man, it must be nice to live in a world where everything is black and white.
Outstanding. Pitting one pilot group against all others isn't a great idea for union solidarity.....well, maybe just ALPA.
I think if you read the ALPA admin manual you'd find that ALPA supports diverse Unions working together. As an example, the National Committee I'm on works CLOSELY with the UPS guys on common issues.
I don't feel like like getting into this and, I am not. But, I'm in Velo's corner.
Again, thanks for the support. But just remember, being on my side makes you automatically a hater of aviation. How do you manage to earn a living every day in a profession you hate?
No, it's more like a small handful of independents and non-union cariers want to leech off of ALPA's influence and success. I'm not saying that I think it should actually be done, but I do think the concept has validity. At some point, you have to say that the non-ALPA carriers need to come into the fold to reap the benefits.
Amen. I still haven't gotten an answer as to why non-Union pilots feel they are entitled to Union negotiated privileges.
No, it has more to do with who negotiated the right. This is purely academic but, if ALPA paid for the effort to implement Crewpass and no other Union or group helped should they get a free ride? Membership has its benefits.
See above comment.
I see what you're saying and agree to the concept. But does this mean that multiple unions can't exist in the same profession? Just asking out of honest curiousity.
Not at all. ALL Unions help raise the bar for the other guys. As an example, SWAPA's recent contract is raising the bar for every narrowbody Union pilot in this country.
Likewise non-Union pilots like Virgin, Allegiant and jetBlue exert pressure the opposite direction by working for substandard wages/benefits.
Then you do the old multi quote drive by posting, you lose credibility exponentially fast. After a few months months of it, and folks are not willing to listen.
It seems you are only unwilling to listen when you don't agree with my position. And the name calling is a nice touch.
Now, if SWA pilots want to pitch in and help then I am all for them also having the benefit. But, once again, the discussion is purely academic because the there is no proposal.
True. You want a benefit (or to use the system) just be prepared to pay for it.
Personally, I'm sick of having to dodge the idiot beachcombers in SoCal everytime I go to SNA or LGB. If it takes taxation to get them out of the way, so be it.
The proof is in the puddin'
Have you ever flown into SNA? Personally, I think it is the most hazardous airport in our route system. And its simply because of all the GA operations there. Guys doing touch and gos in their Pitts Specials in close proximity to airline traffic operating to one of the shortest runways in the Nation. Additionally, ridiculous noise abatement procedures that create flight deck angles that make it impossible to "see and avoid" the GA pilots
wandering around with their head up their butts.
I'll give you two of inumerable incidents that happened to me at that airport.
Turning base in broken clouds, I went canopy to canopy with a V tail Bonanza who was scud running through the airspace without a clearance.
Then there was the genuis in his Beaver who taxiied out in front of us. We had been given a takeoff clearance and were running up the engines. He was told to hold short and acknowledged. Just as the Captain was about to release the brakes, he taxiied over the hold short line and lined up in front of us (a 737 with all its lights on and tail shaking at full power!). Fortunately, we were able to recognize his stupidity BEFORE brake release. Take off clearance cancelled, thank God!
Just because I want to keep GA clowns out of congested airspace and think some additional taxation might do the trick doesn't make me "hate aviation."
Do I hate stupidity, especially in airplanes? Yes. Do GA pilots exhibit that with greater frequency as a whole? Yes.
Why? Lack of experience. Pure and simple. You keep your bug smashers out in the country VFR at local use airports and you won't pay the user fees. I'm fine with that. But, if you want to sight see up and down the beach between LGB and Dana Point, be prepared to pay for it.
