Originally Posted by
Regularguy
From the "Chairman"
"Therefore, even though externally we will use the United call sign, internally, I think it imperative that we truthfully advise our passengers that the flight is being operated proudly by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines. I can imagine something like this, "Hello, folks. From the cockpit, welcome aboard flight 123, operated with the highest level of care and safety by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines.""
People if this isn't the biggest dividing statement in the world, I don't know what is.
The passengers will be purchasing a ticket on the new "United" airlines not LCAL or LUAL. Yes it is true that until the JCBA and integration are complete we will be operating as separate pilot groups however we will/are all United pilots. If the Chairman can't see this then he is either stupid, trying to pay back the UAL MEC for not getting him the National ALPA position he sought or he is just plain trying to build fences between the pilots who will eventually fly in the same cockpits together.
Gentlemen and Ladies we must say NO to this kind of rhetoric and destructive communication when it comes from either side of the house. This is not some game show where the last man standing wins after playing his tricks on the tribe.
Chairman Jay you are out of line as much as Jeff was at EWR this past week!
Oh, *****. I'm not sure what your agenda is, but you and "Dumbfounded" seem oddly intent on stirring up division where there is none. I was there in person when Pierce first introduced the idea of the "operated by Continental Pilots" PA to the pilot group. The sole intent is to make the public (and, more importantly, Smisek) aware that the merger has not gone well and will not go well until the pilots have a JCBA. Sorry, but until we have a contract and SLI it's not just "rhetoric", it's a fact - we are seperate pilot groups. That doesn't mean that we can't speak with one voice as a united labor front. We're doing that and will continue to do so. But I refuse to join Jeffy's big merger group hug until we're given a contract. Frankly, I'm so unmotivated nowadays I can scarcely manage a PA, but apparently now I will have to start making an effort. The fact that you can manage to persuade yourself that Pierce's comments somehow equate to JLo's insults at the recent "exchanges" has convinced me your fairly comfortable carrying Jeffrey's water. I'm not and neither is the majority of the combined pilot group. If they want our help promoting this merger and making it a success they can give us a contract - otherwise we're just another USAIR and I'll do my part to make sure everyone knows it. This whole thread is stupid...