Originally Posted by
hitimefurl
Well one candidate for Captain Rep is a notorious "Boy Captain" from MCO's Express operation.
He basically never flew FO and was a Delta Captain before he was 30.
How can anyone who's had a career like that relate to the feeling of stagnation the majority of us feel?
Oh, and he used to be on the union message boards talking about how Date of Hire is the "fair" way to integrate seniority in a merger.
With all the merger talk looming at Delta (Alaska, whatever), I don't want to elect anyone that endorses DOH!
and this:
Hard to call it stagnation when you're a lineholder in the MD88 Capt (around 395) and you voluntarily bid to be in the top 20 of the DC9 Capt.
You don't think his position on DOH (and a junior USAir-East spouse) are a potentially worrisome "conflict of interest"?
When consolidation mania hits again, I want my representative voting for my interest, not the interests of their spouse's airline.
Greetings,
I thought you might like a response from the horse's mouth.
While I am not sure what "notorious, Boy Captain" means, I indeed was an Express captain at the age of 28. I'm not sure that makes me notorious, but to each his own. A few of us made captain in our 20s down there, undoubtedly as a direct result of the fact that it paid under 100/hr, and people could do much better financially in other categories. Indeed, I flew as flight engineer and as first officer and also was in the training department prior to bidding captain in MCO. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but my opinion is that
He basically never flew FO
is inaccurate; and that is not even addressing the fact that Delta is my 5th airline, I came here with 3,800 hours of first officer time--most of it on reserve at the regionals sitting right a furlough bubble or on furlough.
Had I remained on the MD88, I would have been number 401 in the category for November. That is line holder status--every weekend. Considering I was number 350 when I arrived on it in Atlanta, after a couple of years on it in New York, I would be ecstatic with stagnation. I personally call that
regression, although you are entitled to label it as you wish. I don't expect any sympathy, but to simply say that I can't
relate to the feeling of stagnation the majority of us feel
is inaccurate, IMO. Again, that is your opinion, and you are entitled to it; but I disagree with that opinion.
To say I supported DOH, and that scares you is a fair statement. At the time of the NWA merger, I indeed supported DOH--with a couple of caveats that you omitted: NWA and Delta were both ALPA carriers very similar in make-up, and I supported more comprehensive fence. I considered the fence much more important than the SLI at the time, and here we are today with the benefit of hindsight. Today, I still consider the lack of meaningful fences much more responsible for stagnation than the actual outcome of the SLI. My seniority prior to the merger faired much better then it does now sans meaningful fences. It is opinion, it is what it is, and I have moved on from it.
Let me be very clear that my
personal opinion of 4 years ago makes absolutely
NO bearing on my personal opinion now for 3 reasons:
1) Personal opinions change over the years due to age, accumulated knowledge, experience, and wisdom
2) Representatives, well, represent. That means that my opinions take a back seat to the opinions of my constituents--even if they do or do not conflict with mine
3) Representatives are not involved in seniority list integrations. that is the responsibility of the Merger Committee. We have a standing one as I type. It is they who independently conduct the process which determines the outcome of a seniority list integration.
As a Captain Representative, it is my belief, my desire, and my responsibility to gain the best contract, extract the most leverage, and gain the best deal for the pilots on our seniority list. I do not endorse DOH, or any other position than the one just described.
You were correct in that my wife flies for USAirways. She is a remarkable woman, who is a direct descendant of Gen. Claire Chennault, and manages to balance a career, be a mother, and have inner and outer beauty second no none, in my opinion. That being said, she has her airline, and I have mine. As Slowplay might say, it's not relevant.
I like what you guys are doing here. Debate is good. Participation is good. Exchanging of ideas is good. Scrutiny is good. I appreciate the opportunity to offer up my opinion. If you are in Council 44, you no doubt have received my letters. They all contain multiple ways to contact me. Feel free to do so at any time.