rjlavender

My recent article, "The Anatomy of An Irresolvable Dilemma" is available at:

http://www.foundationx.com/pilot/

MaydayMark

Dear Bob,

Sorry things turned out the way they did for the Continental pilots who chose to do the "right" thing for themselves and the profession. They weren't the first in that situation and won't be the last. I thank them (and you) for their sacrifices in an effort to better this profession.

That said, that was almost 24 years ago. I'm surprised you aren't now in a position to retire with grace and honor from FedEx. Don't you have any hobbies?

Do you really enjoy flying all night? Listen, take up fishing, gardening, volunteering at the local nursing home, building an airplane in your garage ... maybe spend time vacationing with your wife who you have written so eloquently about in the past. She deserves for you to retire and spend time with her.

Basically ... get a life. You're in MY seat (and seniority number), you've had your career, please go away so I can have mine.

Thanks for taking the time to write ... it's always good to hear from you.

Love,

Mark

skywriter

I was talking to a Fedex pilot Sat. she said she was going to try and retire at 57 she is 49 now 18 year fedex pilot and flying on the back side of the clock kills her now.

FDXLAG

I am 49 and 200 days. I would retire at 49 and 201 days if I had her retirement package. Lots of 60 year olds would like to retire with her retirement package. But call me pro choice on 65.

LAG

FreightDawgyDog

"Basically ... get a life. You're in MY seat (and seniority number), you've had your career, please go away so I can have mine.

Thanks for taking the time to write ... it's always good to hear from you.

Love,

Mark"

Mark..

I share your sentiments but would like to set you straight on a few things. Non Member Bob (NMB) is probably not in your seat. He is a part time pilot who has another career selling stuff and working with "like minded individuals". He currently resides in the right seat of the Bus. He could have been a Captain long ago. Whether he failed upgrade or is just afraid of the training and follow on responsibility as a Captain, I don't know. What I do know is he is a skeezy non member who is freeloading on our dues. He thinks going on strike almost 24 years ago makes it OK to freeload and even work against ALPA now. Do as you wish but I have chosen to speak to non members in person, nor give them a forum here by responding to them. I encourage all others to do the same. As our Chief Pilot said, guys like him are the problem. In this case he is right on the money...

Booger

Bob,

I am not sure why, but I read the article. Your comparsion between the Age 60 rule and the Continental strike is ridiculous. ALPA consists of a large group of pilots from varying backgrounds. Not sure which stance to take, ALPA polled (figuratively) its members and the results, surprisingly enough, were in favor of keeping the Age 60 rule intact.

Is this stance dividing its members? Of course, but would it be better to go against the collective voice and decide to push toward changing the rule that most of us voted against?

As to your view of Braniff pilots, many scabs were from Braniff, many were not. There are always low life scum suckers that will cross a picket line when given the opportunity. They don't need to feel "wronged". The reasons for crossing a picket line are varied. So, in short, your logic is flawed.

I see that after your heroic stand at Continental you chose to become a non member at Fedex. While I don't agree with everything ALPA or (FDX ALPA) does, I take the good with the bad and still pay my dues. Your philosophy of "ALPA doesn't support my viewpoint, so I'll quit" is grade school behavior at best.

Age 60 is polarizing. There are two sides to the arguement, and while I am in favor of keeping the status quo, I still understand the other viewpoint. Many have lost pensions, had family emergencies, didn't save for their retirement, have no life outside of work, etc. Those in favor of keeping the rule intact could be furloughed, want seat progression, want to get a decent job, etc. Both sides have economic reasons for their viewpoint. Instead of packing up your toys and blaming ALPA, you can do what you have been doing, being very vocal and advocating change. Remember the majority at ALPA has voted to keep the rule. However, I do think we will get another chance to vote. It is too bad you won't get to cast a ballot since you are a nonmember.

Check 6

I had the distinct pleasure of having Bob on my jumpseat about a year ago. I asked the Capt if I could invite him to sit in the cockpit so I could ask him about his age 60 letter and why he thought it was ok to go outside of the union. The Capt said it was ok with him but he supported the change to the 60 rule and had supported Bob up to that time.

Well, well. I have never met another Pilot so willing to screw his fellow man. It was all about his view and his opinion and since I did not agree it was obvious I was too young, naive and uneducated about the failings of our pilot group to ever understand.

Things got a little heated until the point the Capt asked Bob directly...if this group decides to go on strike what are you going to do?? Well Bob tried a number of times to not answer the question but dash 1 would not let him get away with it. Finally Bob said "he would cross the picket line". The Capt and I both just went about bug S@#t on him. He lost that persons support. I hope anyone that does support him knows this about him. He is out there for his own benifit, agenda and self interests, that's it.

This has nothing to do with the age 60 rule, plenty of good memebers are for it. People should know not only what, but who they are supporting....


My 2 cents...

FDXLAG

You are not supporting Bob if you support changing the rules.

R1200RT

If she has 18 years and is flying the back side of the clock it is by her choice.

CaptainMark

yeah i agree....i have only 12 yrs here and i don't even do that...well not much anyway...and boy... she must be cute!!!!!!!!!!