Disgust on the MEC

I sincerely regret having to weigh in on the status of the MEC, as highlighted in MEC member C/O Burt 
Amos' resignation letter as Council 135's Representative, but unfortunately it has reached a level that is 
extremely concerning. I had hoped that after some of the representational issues had been resolved, (CLT 
re-election), that the MEC would begin to work together; to my disappointment just the opposite has 
occurred. To call this meeting "disgusting," as C/O Amos referred to it as in the resignation letter to his 
pilots, falls short of what took place in my own opinion. This meeting was by all accounts the worst I 
personally have ever had to attend. 

I can assure everyone that C/O Amos was not the only member/officer that considered resigning as a 
Representative or walking out of the meeting that day. The minority "Roll Call Seven," came very close to 
being the only members left at that table. That is an example of how repulsive these so called MEC 
meetings have become. 

Ironically, shortly before C/O Amos left the meeting, CLT F/O Kelly made a point of order stating that 
the Chairman had lost control of the meeting. The Chair ruled that Kelly's point of order was not well 
taken, (meaning the Chair disagreed). The Chairman's ruling was challenged by either Kelly or Davis 
(my notes are unclear), and the minority Roll Call Seven then roll called the Chair's ruling and overruled 
the Chairman, affirming that the meeting was out of control. The Council 138 Rep then motioned to 
adjourn the meeting due to the reversed ruling that had just taken place (reversed the ruling which 
affirmed the point of order that the meeting was out of control). This motion was ruled out of order 
because the member (the LEC 138 Rep) did not have the floor. I had the floor at the time and followed 
suit with a second motion to adjourn based on the Kelly point of order that the meeting was out of control 
and consequently we were simply wasting our pilots' money. Though the majority of the MEC agreed and 
supported the resolution to adjourn, the Roll Call Seven then, not surprisingly, roll called that motion, 
voting against it which resulted in its failure, keeping us in session even though they, the Roll Call Seven, 
had just affirmed that the meeting was out of control. 

Based on the voting record above, it would appear that the Roll Call Seven were not serious in the point of 
order or the challenge to the Chair, rather it was simply part of a continued effort to discredit and 
dishonor a fellow ALPA volunteer, the MEC Chairman this time. This is but one example, I could relate 
literally hundreds of similar examples but the underlying theme would remain the same.

There continues to be an effort on the MEC to reach consensus, but it is now almost always rejected with a 
roll call vote, the roll call sometimes loathsomely referred to by members of the Roll Call Seven as "pay 
back time." This behavior of contempt sends a strong and clear message; it is not about the issue, but 
rather immature or misguided behavior intent on revenge and/or resentment. It is not the US Airways 
pilots' best interest that is the overriding and primary issue, but rather personalities. It is not about 
teamwork and MEC/pilot unity, but rather control. It is not about leadership, but rather personal vendettas 
and deep-seated hatred towards our fellow pilots.

I too am thoroughly disgusted with this MEC. It is truly a privilege and an honor to be elected as a pilot 
representative. With that appointment comes a tremendous amount of representational responsibility that 
is paramount and should be clearly reflected in a Representative's actions. I will continue to carry out that 
responsibility to the best of my ability and work towards teamwork, unity and a positive change and I will 
do everything within my power to effect that change. 

I strongly urge every US Airways pilot to attend an MEC meeting in the near future and find out what 
your MEC/LEC representation actually looks like, our careers may depend upon it. Very likely, you will 
walk away like the majority of us are now doing with a very deep and sickening feeling in your stomach. 
That, however, is what will be necessary to make a positive and unifying change occur. Without pilot 
involvement no change will occur and we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Please get involved.

Kevin Gillespie
Chairman
Council 148