Funny you should mention the hat. At first I thought it was just a cheap shot, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it is relevent to the topic of this thread.
Some of our most professional UPS line pilots that I have had the pleasure to work with still wear their uniform cap. Why? Because it is part of the professional image that we should all strive to support and because it is the standard. It is like anything else...The best pilots don't pick and chose the standards, they simply strive to meet all of them. Conversely, some of our "most help needed" pilots come to work looking like an un-made bed, without a hat, I might add. There is a link between competence and appearance in our business!
So standards do matter to our reputation and does reflect on the quality of our work.
This last round involving your union's senior leadership and their either "miscalculation" or "misrepresentation" of the truth also demonstrates a lack of leadership standards. Either way, it does undermine the organization's integrity.
Please understand that for the majority of us in management, membership in this organization is not desired. We simply cannot trust the IPA with our careers. Thanks for inviting us to the party, but I think we will collectively pass on the offer.
