In my 10 years of flying, a lot of it is military so you all know that Uncle Sam does not have a quote unquote Union. But all of my friends that are in the commercial airline world right now (PAXs & Cargo), 100% are part of the Union. They pretty much say it is something that is needed to keep the upper management in line. I would like to open a in depth discussion about this situation. I young pilot like myself that does not know anything about ALPA, Teamsters, ect.

1.) Why is such a problem with Upper Management to pay there people if the company made 33 BILLION DOLLARS? (My guess is GREED)

2.) Out of the 4,000 plus pilots in FedEx and 2,000 plus pilots in UPS, how many are in the Union?

3.) Is it like a fraternity? I mean, if you are a part of it, is there any pluses?

4.) If a check pilot or check flight engineer is a member of the union, but a guy or girl that is not a part of it,,,,,is it automatic they are going to majically fail the checkride?

5.) And something else that was interesting. A friend of mine flies for American, he was jumpseating to his base on Delta or FedEx or somebody, I can't recall directly, but anyway, the Captain had a book that had all of the people that were in the airlines, but they were not a part of the Union, so those individuals were on the permanent black list so to speak, so they were not allowed to jumpseat. Is this true?

I am just trying to understand because it is new to me.

 

1. Pilots are just another cost center and any good business cuts cost.
2.FedEx 4600 pilots, 125 scum ,I mean non-Union members
3.Not so much a fraternity as a professional organization. If 98% of our guys belong, obviously there are some pluses. Real Representation in disciplinary hearings, loss of medicl license insurance
4. Not likely, never heard of it here
5. Scab-list. I think you are refering to a list of pilots who crossed picket lines and it does exist and some Captains will not allow these guys to jump with them.

 

One could say it's similar to a fraternity when it comes to consuming beer on long layovers.

That is, you don't go out and drink beer with non-union pilots.

 

Wow!!!!! I didn't know it was that deep, I mean I had a idea, but I never knew how deep the rabitt hole in wonderland.

So is it safe to say, the 125 scum//non union are screwed if something goes wrong on their part but they don't have proper representation or does the company take care of them indirectly because they are seen as being loyal in upper managment. (I AM SURE THEY ARE SCREWED BECAUSE ME BEING A GUESSING MAN, UPPER MANAGEMENT PROBABLY DON'T GIVE 2 FARTS AND A MARTINI ABOUT THEM EITHER)

 

I'm not a huge union guy, but after being in this industry for the last 9+ years, it's a necessary evil. If everyone does the 'right thing' it isn't necessary. But hell, even SWA has an in house union and their company seems to try and do the right thing more often than not. Greed on either side of the fence is never good, but mgmt holds the check book, so it usually starts there.

 

Question from a new guy: Line 5. I understand not everyone has the book but why do ANY Captains allow scabs to jump if they have access to the list?

 

A union is required by law to represent even non-members. Our in house union (FPA)even got a non-members job back who the company fired. Needless to say, he saw the light and became a member. And the union was hoping other non-members would follow suit. But, the selfish, greedy bastards didn't because they are so arogant that they think that it could never happen to them. But I digress from your question. Different times get different responses and every case has so many side flows that it is very very hard to make sweeping statements. Like so many union/ managment questions, it comes down to the current political climate and personalities involved.

 

UPS has a closed shop we are 100% union, or you can't work here.

nightrider

 

no soup for you.

sue

 

(uh what about the other airline at ups?)

sue