Originally Posted by
gettinbumped
Fair question, and reasonable point. I did fly for the regionals before going to UAL, though when I was there the largest piece of kit we had was a 30 seat turboprop. I was gone before the RJ's came about.
That doesn't magically cleanse me, nor should it for those of the 1400 pilots that flew for the commuters. As I mentioned in a previous post, and got bashed for, I understand the plight of the commuter pilot. You need the time to get OUT, and if the regionals are hiring and aren't GoJets etc. then you hold your nose and take the plunge. The vast majority of pilots I see at the regionals are in that category. Heck, even though I was flying a 19 seat turboprop at the commuters, I still got grief from the mainline guys at times. I suppose my whole point is that it's just the nature of the beast, and try not to take it personally. I don't ever look down my nose at regional pilots - I was one after all, but it doesn't change the fact that in many cases, our near term interests are diametrically opposed. Hopefully in the future that won't be the case. I wish you guys good luck, and hopefully this thing has a positive resolution for all involved.
Thank you for making good, clear, and fair points. I am glad we can have a civil discussion on this board from time to time.
I meant to address your being denied the jumpseat on SKW in my last post, but got all caught up in something entirely different. I very clearly remember the "jumpseat war", if you want to call it that, between UAL and UAX. As I remember it, it was between UAL and all UAX carriers, not just SKW. To resolve the issue, at least partially, SKW printed out a bunch of "jumpseat priority forms" that would override what the computer system said if there ever was a dispute over priority.
I do remember getting a memo that said we should "deny any mainline pilot the jumpseat until their MEC agrees to resolve the issue" or something to that extent. I, as a commuter at the time, did not support the effort one bit. With all the pull I had as an FO (haha), I'd insist to the captain that we always take any jumpseater, mainline or not. Most guys I flew with agreed, and we never left anybody behind. I'm truly sorry that happened to you. Had it been on my flight, I would have done everything in my power, as an FO, to make sure you got on the jumpseat. In my opinion, the jumpseat should NEVER be used as a political tool. Period. If pilots of different airlines want to point fingers, place blame, and argue, thats is fine, although unprofessional. But please don't deny guys the opportunity to get home to their families after a long trip and several night away from home.
To this date, I have never had a problem with a pilot from another airline in person. Most of this is just online chest-thumping, and nothing more. When we have a mainline pilot in our jumpseat, it is just business as usual. Like I said before, I hope that this can remain civil and professional while all of this gets sorted out. In the mean time, I plan to extend every pilot of every airline the common courtesy of a ride home, just as I would a pilot from my own airline. Good luck to all.