OK TexasPilot76,

I think that qualifies as a good enough apology to the unfortunate 70 pilots at Flight Options all terminated the same day for "cause". The reason that I and others are so passionate about this is that terminating pilots "en mass" is something that we have seen personally at our carriers. At my one 121 airline, before we were smart enough to organize, people were promoted by "performance". Of course, that performance was arbitrary and depended how much ass you were willing to kiss: The D.O. would continually modify the "seniority list" based on a whim.... One day, 55 pilots were terminated, 12 for "cause". Some of these "causes" were union organizing, saying no to unsafe activities, and not carrying broken airplanes. Of course, we smartened up after that and organized.

At a previous 135 cargo carrier, 11 pilots, including myself, were taken hostage two weeks to the day that we voted in the union. The company called the "cause" as slow business, even though we were in heavy season and management pilots were flying their butts off and begging the other pilots to do the same. But, in amazing solidarity, the remaining pilots remained united and refused any extra flying. When management pilots timed out, and half the fleet was grounded hard across the country, the 11 MEC officers, organizers, and sympathizers were all recalled with back pay.

TexasPilot76, I am still a little concerned about your attitude despite your apology. Sometimes, "performing" for a company means doing evil and illegal things. Yes, they are out there..... At the previous 135 company that I mentioned, pilots were rewarded or punished for their "performance". The D.O. said that he wanted "Team Players".... Being a "Team Player" here would get you promoted in the jets lightening fast, but caused much disrespect among your peers. In fact, being a "Tango Pop" became a great insult among the pilot group. Here, team playing included carrying broken airplanes, going below mins to "service the customer", exceeding flight and duty times, taking off over gross, and WHATEVER ELSE IT TOOK to keep management happy. This included the ONE (1) pilot that crossed the picket line during the '97 UPS IBT strike (99 other non - "Team Player" pilots refused). While we were disgusted with that pilot, management was elated with him for "performing so well". He was now a "Team Player" until he said "no". Once he said "no" to anything, he was no longer a "team player" and thus he was performing poorly.

TexasPilot76, is this the world in which you long for...? One in which you are a Captain one day, but are downgraded or furloughed the next because a new "better" pilot or "better performer" came along....!?!? "Yes, we realize that you were a Blue Angel, but SHE was a Thunderbird AND a Shuttle Commander". So we're "letting you go..." I suggest that you read the famous book Flying the Line to understand why we fought for a union and seniority-based upgrades 75 years ago. Many of the safety benefits that you now enjoy and probably take for granted were hard fought for then, just as forced child labor and safety were fought against and for by earlier union organizers. Do you not understand this?

Finally TexasPilot76, I am concerned about your statement " I am in control of my career. My years of service does not control my career. I will work hard and do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. And that comes with hard work, not seniority." Sometimes "DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES" to achieve your goals means doing illegal acts, evil acts, or stepping upon others... At what price do your fellow pilots have to pay for your "goals"? And does "doing WHATEVER it takes" include doing illegal activities to gain your management's favor to get on top of your fellow pilots? Does "doing whatever it takes" include exceeding duty and flight times, carrying broken airplanes, going below mins, taking off over gross or without regard to performance limitations, etc. How about crossing picket lines set up by your fellow pilots or airline workers? Just where does "doing whatever it takes" to promote your own selfish goals end?

I want a fellow pilot (actually any person) to stand behind me when my cause is just, and I will do the same for them. Don't you??

To quote my former "evil" D.O., "One thousand 'atta-boys', doesen't equal one 'Oh 3hit'". Doing illegal, morally wrong, or evil things often gets you promoted, but in the end (just like Hitler and Saddam's Generals) you get a bullet to the back of the head.... Be careful of the master you choose to serve out there TexasPilot76 because at the end of the day you must look in the mirror and ask yourself if it was worth it....

Thanks for your apology to the Unfortunate Flight Options pilots and good luck in achieving your goals... Just do it with regard to others.

In Unity,

B727DRVR