A response to certian x-jet guys not letting RAH jumpseat
So we, at RAH got a copy of some message an x-jet pilot said against RAH pilots, and I have a few words I want to share about that.
First of all, management makes those decisions; you don't penalize pilots trying to get to work/home for management decisions.
Second, for the person who wrote that, what are you in, kindergarten, I feel like this situation has become so immature and elementary, someone attempting to convince everyone to refuse jump seat to all RAH pilots because apparently we are lower then go-jets, we, the pilots have taken the Midwest jobs, because that was our choice (that's sarcasm, by the way), even though we found out about the deal after it went on the media.
I am sure everyone knows the deal already and has their opinions, but for those shallow minded pilots, let me explain reality to you and how business operates in a capitalist country, if you don't like this, and then I suggest you move to a communist country and work for air cubana or something.
Companies work for their shareholders, so they have to do what they can to please their shareholders, not their employees (I'm not saying I agree with it, but that is reality, sorry).
Midwest is predicted to go out of business anyways, and if they would go out of business, then all the pilots and employees will lose their jobs for good. This deal at least is going to keep the company running for some more time, and possibly allow the company to survive, thus eventually a recall of the pilots in the long run. (Our deal is until 2010, by the way.)
RAH has 17 planes sitting in PIT (for those who haven’t seen the petting zoo there) costing us $2.5 million PER MONTH. We have been unsuccessful in putting them to work. We also have taken furloughs because of this. So we have 12 efficient airplanes sitting doing nothing, they have inefficient airplanes (and by that I mean with our current fuel prices and market airfares) that are not making money. Yes it is drastic, yes, it is sad, and I do not want to see jobs being lost, but, reality sucks sometimes, and this is one of them. Both companies did take drastic measures, and it is a dog-eat-dog world, so it came to either that or Midwest out and all jobs lost, I would prefer to have fewer jobs lot, and hey, it puts RAH pilots flying again too. What I am saying is that in the long run, this is a BETTER option, not great, but better.
Also in case you have haven’t noticed, the whole industry sucks now in the US, a lot of companies are on the verge of failure, and everyone is doing what they can to survive, which does create drastic measures. The best way to deal with this is to stop all the immature bickering and this jump seat refusal bull crap, come to terms with reality and look out for each other. JOBS WILL BE LOST AND FURLOUGHS WILL CONTINUE lets help each other out. When a friend of yours is being furloughed, and you know someone, get them connected, help them get another job, refusing jump seat is just stupid and ignorant.
I would like all of you to note that I am speaking about the pilots, not for or against the pilots, (although there are many collogues of mine that has had certain feeling about that specific x-jet pilot that I won't discuss here). I am not for management in this decision, nor against them, I personally do not like how that everything was done behind our backs and that there was some dirty business involved in it, but like I said earlier, that's reality, and this is the US airline industry, you don't think there is going to be dirty business.
For those x-jet pilots, I am in no way against you or ever intending on refusing a jump seat for any of you (even though it’s the captain’s call, I know, I know). I think x-jet is a great company and I am very sad to see the state of the company the way it is now and going. I wish you all the best and hope you all keep your jobs.
To Midwest pilots, I really don't want to see job lost for you, I think your company is great, and has a great business plan, one of the few out there. As with x-jet I wish you all the best too, and from my pilot group (I am sure I speak for all on this one) I'm sorry it had to come down to this, we were unaware too.