Dustoff44

There was a push a few years ago by ICAO to shorten all call signs to two syllables. Many foreign carriers came up with new names eg. Speed Bird & Scandi. So as a fly on the wall I vote for Cactus...

Justdoinmyjob

BA has been "Speedbird" for decades, not a few years.

TonyWilliams

Pan Am was "clipper" since there was clippers in the fleet.

__________________
*No political message here*

cactiboss

Well usapa believes that "cactus" is unsafe, I am sure you will see some more usa today ad's on the matter.

From the PHL usapa reps:
"On another note, Captain Ed “Mr Integrity” Bular, announced that the Company has decided to go ahead with a common call sign for East and West. Even though the BPR had previously indicated that, in the interest of safety, FAA guidance on this subject should direct the Company to adopt a call sign having some sort of association with either the name of the company or its aircraft paint scheme, the decision was made to use “Cactus.” It is becoming more apparent every day that decisions emanating from “Team Tempe” are not based on safety, but on some incomprehensible thought process. Stay tuned for more on this subject."

Justdoinmyjob

Sounds to me like the East pilots practicing a "Scorched Earth" policy on the West pilots.

U-I pilot

Until people get used to it, it may be a PITA to clarify not a safety issue per se...... I had this experience at EWR when the paint was still new......

"Follow Cactus from your right"
* Looking for america west*
*DING* oh USAir........

FORTL

"Sharmrock, speedbird, springbrook, dynasty, beauty, blue bird..... I could go on. It's got nothing to do with "US' anything.

fr8tmastr

So now do we all want to count how many large airlines use what call sign? If you want to make a list, we can, but since we all know the answer to that contest what's the point? Why dont we go back to the point of my post. The FAA RECOMMENDS... and all US Legacy carriers, save one.

cactiboss

Item 1 - As you are aware our call sign is changing to “Cactus” on September 1st. The USAPA Safety Committee was not consulted nor given prior information regarding the change and found out about it via the CBS message just as you did. We immediately contacted the FAA protesting the move as a detriment to safety and requested their help in stopping the change. That request was respectfully denied and the change will move forward. Neither the Company nor the FAA considers this to be a serious safety issue. Of course, it is a serious safety issue and it has been placed squarely in our laps. While our West brothers are used to using “Cactus” the East pilots will need to use extreme caution and care as we transition to the new call sign. Please be extra vigilant during taxi and ground operations since the paint and call sign difference may be confusing to ATC controllers, the folks who work around the gates, and our pushback crews. If there is even the slightest doubt or perception of a misunderstanding regarding your call sign you must stop the operation until everything is crystal clear to all concerned.
One of the most dangerous things we face within the busy environment we operate is the possibility of runway incursions. This call sign change enhances the chance of just such an occurrence especially in the NE corridor and Europe. It will take controllers, as well as our pilots, time to adjust and learn yet another call sign not matching a paint job. Vigilance on both parties is paramount to preventing a potential disaster. We cannot overstate the importance of making absolutely certain that your flight is correctly identified at all times by all parties or stopping the operation until it is.
With this call sign change, as with the recent eight Captain fiasco, we once again see that common sense isn’t all that common. Please use your professionalism, expertise, and maintain impeccable situational awareness in keeping our operation safe and preventing misidentification of our flights."

Godzilla

This is really a non issue if you are a competent pilot.
I have switched call signs five times while working at "Legacy" carriers.........always without a problem and only used the wrong call sign accidentally once.

This is a little like arguments saying switching between flying from the left and right seats is challenging and unsafe.

If you cannot handle these little challenges perhaps you are not competent enough to be a professional airline pilot.

There are much more important issues here that what call sign is going to be used.