There was a letter in the Tech Log (ALAE magazine) last issue, about an engineer retiering. His license number was around the 10,000 mark and he was asking if his was the lowest number still being used. Latest license numbers are about the 31,000 mark. This leaves a maximum 21,000 engineers. As has been said some are overseas, some retiered, some left the industry, some passed away, some not bothered to extend thier cover beyond the one license.
As a conservative estimate, I can't imagine more than about 5-6000 people working as licensed engineers in the main stream "Airline" environment. So ALAE membership could be as high as 30%. There is nothing to stop anyone being a member of the M.S.F./A.E.E.U. and the ALAE (I am) and when enough of your colleuges do the same, then it will be easier for the ALAE to take over. The way people are speaking at the moment, it would appear you are all hopeing for a mass transfer to the ALAE that won't happen it has to be done gradually that is the nature of the beast in this industry.
You guys at B.A. will not get a descent pay award while the craft bargaining unit is representing you all. I left just after restructuring because of no license pay and still keep in touch. The "Super LAE" supplement seems to be a step in the right direction, but you need to push for an increase in that, not just basic. Make it worth having licenses again. But do encourage the new license holders to join the ALAE. United we stand ect. ect. ect......
Good thread keep it going guys..
[This message has been edited by Diablo (edited 07 February 2001).]