Originally Posted by
duvie
Skepticism is great, my philosophical heart burn is when you get reflexively pessimistic. There’s a pretty important difference, and although I reckon in your heart of hearts you understand the nuance, many people happily consume and regurgitate other peoples’ opinions as their own, without the benefit of having weighed and balanced the competing ideas that lead to the conclusion. When a guy like you can sow humor, wit and charisma into his arguments, it helps people swallow an idea that is largely devoid of nuance (all management is bad), that reduces our ability to accurately assess what is going on.
I know you understand that Kirby is a different animal than Tilton or Smisek, but your posts don’t reflect that. And as for your beef with TI, I don’t know him personally, but I still haven’t heard or seen anything to indicate he is a bad faith actor.
when everything is a threat, nothing is a threat. That’s where reflexive pessimism gets you. So while I really appreciate your posts as “one take of what’s happening,” I think a lot of people mistake your op-eds for the gospel and become unable to distinguish their frustration with unintended (small) LOA disparities in rewards, from the fact that we are realistically doing WAY WAY better than we should be for a year of sub 50% loads and never before seen cash burn.
Duvie,
Thanks for spelling it out for Old Mako. Unfortunately, he has become that grumbling grumpy old man that people don't want to be around or make fun of or both. He just doesn't realize it. He thinks his postings of chics with fish make him funny and pertinent. I've been around with plenty of UAL management back to the "UAL is Hemorrhaging" days. They all sucked until Oscar came around. At some point the crusty old farts have to let go and give kudos when it's there slapping them in the face. Doesn't mean we trust without verifying but it's beyond sickening seeing the same old negative remarks from the same old pessimistic stooges. I keep saying to those that retired, go away and do just that - enjoy retirement. What this workforce needs now is continued positive momentum and we do NOT need sourpusses that have no reason to give their opinions when they no longer are employed here. We have about 5 more years of those jaded guys going out the door. I'm hoping they can find a way to come to grips that UAL management and ALPA can put us in a better position. For now, it's no more shrinking to profitability and no more full section 6 negotiations at one time, which gets dragged out for years and years. Gotta get back to my real life with a really hot chic that makes really good fish and I don't need a poster to stare at one on the wall!!