Maybe it's just me but I find the court's decision in the case of the four defendants in the United Air Lines vs. ALPA to be
very disturbing.
One doesn't have to have an advanced degree in Business or a law degree to realize that "Captain's authority" is under a full scale attack and the federal court is now in a position to second guess a Captain on decisions that he/she may make. What if you shoot an approach to minimums and end up missing the approach and diverting to your alternate. If the aircraft in front of you and the trailing aircraft end up landing successfully, then your actions
could be construed by the court to have been designed to have an economic impact on the company even though the weather, when you got to DH (or MDA), was such that a safe landing could not have been made. It's
not a stretch to see the Captain being brought into court to defend his/her actions as a violation of the court order and if you think UAL won't do it, you're living in a dream world. Is the court going to decide what braking action is acceptable or what tower prevailing visibility is required ?
In their e-mail to all United pilots, the defendants stated,"
As a result of the Court's order, all United pilots are at risk from any delays or cancellations related to pilots. We cannot take any economic action against the company in response to the court's decision,..." Please think about that phase Ladies & Gentlemen.
United and other carriers have gutted our pensions, our schedules, taken benefits and what ever else they can. The only thing they have not taken is the authority to operate their aircraft and make decisions about how that aircraft is operated. Well, here comes that battle and it will reach everyone on this forum at some point in time and some fashion. Look at the battle U.S. Airways pilots have had over fuel loading, and how has your company handled scheduling practices of late. We are under attack and we better stand together or we will certainly loose the battle.
I don't have all the answers and there are some really bright minds on this forum but action by everyone is needed if this once proud profession is going to survive.
On a brighter note, we still have a lot to be thankful for and to everyone who is still in a cockpit seat on
any aircraft no matter what or where you fly, thanks for trying to keep the piloting profession an honourable and proud one.
Happy Thanksgiving to all !!
G'Day Mates and eat wisely....aw hell, just enjoy !!
