MEMFO4Ever

Agreed. The letters sent to each group seem to be at odds with one another, of course they were meant for different audiences.

Never once was it mentioned to me during the application or interview process that I would have to be a captain at some point. The FO job pays well and seniority lets me get the things out of life that I want. To even suggest that the company should force anyone upward is ludicrous.

As far as Enders is concerned, at least we know that the report was generated. If I'm ever involved in an accident I intend on using every avenue available to obtain the results of that report. Apparently the company doesn't believe in the old adage, 'the truth shall set you free.'

TonyC

Well, we've got the "Captain Diatribe," the "First Officer Missive," and the "Second Officer epistle" -- what a brilliant display of Professional Management philosophies. Take a problem that involves 1% of the crew force, and chew out the other 99% in the process. Let's count the style points together, shall we?


Granted, the 1% problem children consume far more than 1% of his time, but the answer to "the problem," as he so eloquently states it, is not to denegrate those of us who are consumate profesionals and get the job done day in and day out without a hitch. Wanna change that? Try destroying morale by flaming on every employee under you on the wiring diagram, and see if they won't perform better.


One possible explanation: Cheever's gone, Cassel's in, and Cassel's torqued about the MD-11 tail strike. Rather than yell at the pilots himself, since he realizes most of us won't listen to him anyway, he delegates the job to Jack. Jack can flame on us all, or find another job. (I'd vote with my feet, but then again, I wouldn't take that job in the first place anyway.)

Speculation? Yepp. That's about all we can do. I'm not gonna be the one to reply to his e-mail and ask him how things are going at home.


Sounds like he wants an up-or-out program, too. Personally, I think if a guy wants to oil on the slaveship for 25 years, and he's a conscientious, professional oiler, let him be. Somebody's got to do it, right? Why not let it be someone who's happy doing it? If a guy wants to be an Airbus FO forever so he can enjoy seniority and quality of life, why not let him? If he's bad at the job, it's because he's bad at the job, not because he's doing layovers in his home town. Address the problem, not the bidding preferences.




If we had a problem with professionalism before, we're gonna have a problem with morale now. Guess who's the cause of THAT problem?




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Airbusdriver

The Airbus 4-wheelers were Barr and Sanwick I think.

Fedex999999

Just so ya guys know, some airlines do require up or out. I realize it was never mandatory at Fedex. Just so ya know that it isn't unheard of out there.

I will miss Jack's emails (except the last one) when he turns 60 in January. At least we all know where he is coming from. Oh, and that it is all my fault....

MD114Ever

You're correct. Jack flew the 727 until transitioning to the 11 in the spring of 2003.

Sanwick left the job not too long after his off road excursion. His taxi incident occurred after we had a rash of similar taxi incidents.

DaveP2

Or as I always said when I was in the AF: "One guy craps his pants and we all get issued Depends!"

boxhauler

So airbus F/Os have a pretty good safety record. Md-11 F/Os not so good. In fact bad. (Mem Md-10 gear collapse, Mem tail strike, SFS tail strike) Whats the difference? Maybe professional RFOs who barely stay current. Maybe 14-15 day pairings with min flights/landings. Maybe guys who have been in their seats too long and lost motivation to stay sharp. Definitely a full disclosure of the enders report would help. Somethings wrong and has to change. JAck is saying look in the mirror and see if you're part of the problem. Just cuz you've been able to min run the program so far without a incident doesnt mean cant happen to you.

42GO

Just have to say to all you guys that think our F/O's and Captains always do perfect work....
I had an F/O recently pick up the phone and talk all the way thru engine start and then on his leg flying back, at 10,000 feet, pulled out and worked on a crossword puzzle all the way to level off while it was his leg....needless to say we had a conversation....
Guys, we are doing a LOT OF THINGS that are not condusive to safe flying.....

NUF SAID

TonyC

It sounds to me like enough was not said. The phone call could have been terminated immediately. We shouldn't hesitate to address those types of things on the spot - - we don't need to wait for the mediated debrief to bring them out. "You need to turn the phone off so we can do our jobs. Now."

I don't think anybody has said that we're all perfect. What I resent is the implication that we're all screwed up. The vast majority of us do our jobs well, conscientiously, and professionally. The ones that don't need to be dealt with individually, not with a mass chewin' out.


That's my opinion...



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XprsFr8r

Basic Leadership 101:
Praise in public.
Repremand in private.
JL knows who the problem children are. He ought to deal with them mano et mano.