Apropo ALPA...
You know, interestingly enough, I remember from the newhire class back at TSA after the ALPA reps came in and gave their whole spiel of how great ALPA is and what they do for you - the little pilot...
Afterwards he asked if there were any ex-TWA's in the room. He siad that he would speak to them afterwards.
For my money, ALPA definitely does small things. When I had my carpet dance in Zenders office that one time, they supplied me with a lawyer who only wanted to give in to the company - which I went against and won.
On the other hand, every TWA guy will tell you that the Union isn't worth much anymore today.
On the third hand, after speaking with guys out here in Europe that fly for the low cost carriers such as WIZZ and EASY and a couple others who DO NOT have any union/bargaining... Relztive to them, it does seem that the little that the union does do for us back in the US amounts to alot when you have no representation at all.
Lastly, I take no responsibility for the contents of my post... I too am on my first cup of coffee and cig... still a tad foggy.
P.S. I thought the Mitsubishi jet was that small tiny turbo prop plane that made noise equivilent to the TU154! One place that won't accept those jets will be CDG!