Originally Posted by
EWRflyr
I just have to ask because this has been a common refrain when talking to the L-UAL pilots: why does voting YES and getting past the SLI process mean we are going to be unified? Why is that the only way that can happen? I'm not asking to be a jerk or to stir the pot. I'm only trying to find out why, if this contract is not that great for L-UAL pilots either, just accepting it and is the best way to move on and unify the pilots?
Wouldn't it also show pilot unity if there was a strong, firm NO vote? "Sorry, this contract is unacceptable and we deserve better as this pilot group has shown with their vote."
I keep hearing we need to come together now so we can be unified for the next time. The next time? How often do we keep hearing "well, we'll be unified and stronger NEXT time?" We've been hearing that at L-CAL for a long time for various reasons. When are pilots going to take a stand NOW?
Getting past the SLI to me means more than being unified. It means that perhaps I too can have a shot at the left seat of all those "United" planes out there at our hubs. After 15 years of "juniority" I'm sitting 5 or 6 from the bottom on perpetual reserve in the right seat. I have not progressed a single number on the 756 right seat in 5 years. In fact I've moved backwards. 12 years ago I was a solid lineholder in the same seat. In 9 months we will commence the parking of 85 757's. That's not good news. The replacement aircraft are 737-900ER's, of which we have no simulators, no PI's, no training syllabus and no payscale. Pretty sure that training will be taking place in your training center in IAH, with or without us. Unified to me means having a fair shot at the progression that is taking place in "the other half" of United Airlines. That is why this SLI process needs to happen as rapidly as possible for sUALers like myself. Voted YES on November 30th. That, my friend, is as honest an answer as I can give you.