Originally Posted by
Arado 234
I don't get it. I read the union's email about CKA working conditions. At what point are you willing to sell your soul just to wear a name tag on your uniform? Maybe I should wear a hat when I fly now, just to feel a little more superior. What's next? Uniform Nazis? ("I noticed your sock attire is in violation with company manual, and not to mention Al's 'I love the 737' tie & blablabla" ).
Never a dull moment around here.
Seriously?
There are a lot of reasons folks apply to be a CKA, just like there are for those that bid captain, don't bid captain etc. The name tag BS is getting old.
There are a lot of new CKA that have been in the pipeline for a while. They enjoy the job, and for them the upside is better than the downside. There will always be a few that do it for poor reasons, but most do it for the right reasons.
I find it funny that a few months ago many pilots at AA thought CKA were management and not union members. Then the CKA committee chair highlighted issues with the CKA part of the agreement and CKA leaving and...ding!...someone figured out that it could be leverage for all pilots. Fair enough, and it might be. But in the mean time, what are the line pilots doing? Are trips being left uncovered? Are folks dropping trips and not picking up premium? Are union reps taking it on the chin? I don't think so.
Here's a scheme-all pilots bid a lower paying position. All G4 CA's bid G2 F/O seats. The amount of training would be impossible-ultimate leverage.
Please don't make assumptions of new CKA. I've worked with two this month and they are excellent. The whole "CKA to save the day" thought process was flawed and there will always be those that will take the job for the wrong reasons. We will live with the training department we are currently staffing for a long time.