Fellow Pilots of LC 171:
When I tossed my hat in the ring for the position of Captain Representative, I vowed to run a clean and ethical campaign based only on facts. Unfortunately, yesterday my competition chose to go into the “gutter” by completely distorting my message. I’m sincerely sorry that you all had to see that. That is not how we want to run our Council in Houston; however, I am now forced to defend myself and my positions.
My message to you was, is, and will continue to be: WHO is better able to bring resolution and attention to the LTD issue and pursue returning our 5% tranche to the Houston Pilots? Do we want the fox guarding the hen house, or a Representative who has “skin in the game?”
My opponent has a wholesale misunderstanding of the feelings of outrage being stated publicly by Houston Pilots. Let me be very clear--I never accused my opponent of stealing your money. But, I did offer facts and alternative solutions. Some of you have already contacted me to tell me how insulted you are to be lectured by my opponent on an issue that most already clearly understand and about which they feel very strongly. You have every right to expect your Local Council leaders to bring these concerns to management and the MEC for resolution.
However, this important election is also about many OTHER issues confronting Houston. I have heard your concerns regarding how you as a Legacy CAL or recalled UAL pilot feel you have been “swept under the rug.” The perceived (right or wrong) disdain for Houston pilots and those of you who were recalled can no longer be ignored. You deserve a Local Council leader who will talk about and confront these perceptions, not just pretend that we are all now “united.” You deserve Local Council officials and a MEC who will be sensitive to your concerns. I am the candidate who will no longer “look the other way.” I WILL stand up and make sure Houston pilots are counted.
Some of you have expressed anger that our Houston base was needlessly reduced creating upheaval for you and your families only to watch your position be recently backfilled with pilots from other bases. My opponent is your Local Council Scheduling Chairman! How has that worked out for us?
Many of you have expressed outrage over the fact that the MEC and various committees do not act on your concerns or complaints. Houston pilots pay union dues like every other pilot at United, and as such, deserve the same attention and advocacy when calling on any committee or the MEC for assistance, no matter their legacy. During this campaign, I have heard shameful and inexcusable stories of messages not being returned and/or “second-rate” service regarding complaints and concerns. I understand your feelings of outrage. I am running to represent and serve ALL Houston pilots without regard to anyone’s history as I have successfully done many times before.
Others have expressed concern over the perceived “purge” of Legacy Continental MEC committee members. If this is truly a merger of equals, we must expect that many good volunteers with diverse backgrounds will be given equal opportunities to volunteer. As your representative on the MEC, I will always vote for a committee candidate based on their resume and experience, not their past airline.
After more than twenty years in this base, ten of which I represented you in Safety and Training before management, the FAA and the NTSB, I never decided whose career or concern was worthy of my attention--I MERELY REPRESENTED EVERYONE. I will continue to be the pilot advocate I have always been. Whether you are a legacy United or Continental, a furloughed United pilot or a newly-hired pilot, it simply doesn’t matter. Representing you, oftentimes saving a career, is what I have done many times in the past, and I desire to do again. I like fighting for our pilots and am eager to serve all of you in the very near future.
No candidate is better prepared or qualified on day one to make the Houston Local Council "united" than me. My opponent’s latest message demonstrates his complete misunderstanding and frustration as he tries to show he “cares” about Houston. It is very obvious, that he does NOT know Houston and/or our unique issues. My opponent still has a Chicago telephone number. I wonder if he has more loyalty to Chicago and the United MEC than to Houston? I’m hoping he’s not like reps of the past--only wanting to climb the ALPA ladder and enjoy steak dinners and trip loss on YOUR dime.
When the time comes to go to Chicago as your representative, you can be assured that I will be representing the will of the base, not mine, and I vow to do so with vigor. Understanding the dynamics of the MEC is key. Houston holds a large voting block on the MEC. It is imperative that we in Houston maintain control of that vote. We need a representative committed to Houston’s unique issues and determined to put Houston first. I am that person. Please vote for me, Chuck Cummins, for Captain Representative for LC 171. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Captain Chuck Cummins