Originally Posted by
Really
By commenting on calling a plane a "nickname" makes me sensitive? I guess if that is your criteria, then I'm sensitive.
You completely blew past my point that the original poster was accusing the 737 IAH base of being SCABS since they called in sick. I was just pointing out that MOST of the JM at the time was the 320 primarily a LUAL A/C. I totally agree that if you're sick you need to call in sick!! I just don't want to get on the forum and be told that if I do and my base has a JM going on I must be a scab. And why should I complain about the JM gold rush of 2011/2012? I was in the base at the time, and have done only 1 JM in the last 8 yrs. (not during the time period that you quoted but, to good to pass up 20hrs of pay for being away from home for 9hrs) You know that YOU and all your friends would pick this up in a heartbeat!! If there is no one on furlough you follow all contractual requirements then what is the issue? And just as a little side bar the last 2 FO's that Ive flown with that have picked up JM trips were LUAL furloughed guys. And the only reason it stuck with me is I felt it was so taboo on the LUAL side so it surprised me a little. I have no problem with these pilots picking up some time to help make up for some of the money they lost out on during the furlough!
Plus, as a guy that usually doesn't do the JM it helps me out when they pick the stuff up it allows me to drop some of my trips. We all have our moral equivalence tests, and I don't need to get in a debate who is right. P.S.- I too have flown the Airbus, MD80 (maddog), 737 and yes the 737 is just a horrendous piece of equip.! Everyone, should stay off of it for their own health. Why are you still on it considering you could bid onto that wonderful dreamship of a "FIFI"? And after calling the 737 a Guppy on the radio do say " SEE YA" ?
Lighten up Francis,
I laught at how worked up people get over the nicknames of planes. Most of the LUAL guys that called it the Guppy did it as a term of endearment. The One offended by it reacted as though the N word was used to describe it. The Bus drivers don’t take offense to Fifi because many of them say it too. For the record, since you commented on it, I am back on the bus and by comparison it is a “Dreamship” as you put it.
As for those who call in sick or pick up time, people who refer to them as Scabs really dilutes the true meaning of being a scab. It has one meaning only regarding our profession. It does not include people who take advantage of sick leave, mil drops, senior manning etc. Accepting Senior Manning while pilots are out on furlough is very frowned upon but isn’t the same by any stretch as being a scab.
Happy New Year