May 6, 2008

Fellow US Airways Pilots,
I am writing to you about a very serious matter relating to the cockpit jumpseat which is a major concern to all East and West Pilots. We have had a few reports of inappropriate jumpseat denials involving both East and West Captains.
I would ask that all US Airways pilots, regardless of their carrier of origin or domicile, refrain from using the jumpseat as a personal punitive tool. Actions such as these are a losing, short-sighted proposition that will create negative rippling effects on one of the few conveniences we all have as professional airline pilots.
If you have witnessed any such actions, please immediately contact the Professional Standards Committee and the Jumpseat committee with the details. Those Committee Chairmen and their contact information are available on the USAirlinePilots.org website.
Fraternally,

Stephen H. Bradford
President

 

He didn't see this coming? They signed up for arbitration, didn't like the outcome, packed up their toys and went home. While I am no fan of ALPA, the US East guys basically threw a fit and are looking for a way to force an agreement on seniority that will disadvantage the West guys. I don't agree with a "jumpseat war" because it is unprofessional, but asking for a professional courtesy from the guy you are trying to screw over? Even I, in my limited intellect, could see that one coming.

 

TimSmith said: From your comments then one could deduce that one is either a professional and extends the courtesy or one is not a professional.

We are fortunate in that we have those who define and exemplify the upper limits of the envelope as professionals and unfortunate in that we always have those who want to continue redefining and demonstrating the lower limits of the group.

 

Yep, the East, real professional. The BDL plane that got stuck in the mud. The pilot that shot his plane. East captain that shoved a west gate agent because she had an ALPA lanyard on. East pilots activating the Critical Response committee after the Nicolau award was announced. East jets taking off without enough fuel. Don't get on your high horse about professionalism when compared to the West. We never lost a passenger due to an accident, we never crashed a plane. We had the best safety record in the industry.

Funny thing is, we hear from our OAL buddies that East guys are getting denied seats by ALPA pilots at other carriers.

I carried East pilots on my jumpseat for the last 21 years. But there have been some unprofessional actions by some of your East buddies on our West jumpseats, enough so that most guys would rather not take a chance on having some jerk rag on you at FL 350. Both pilots right now decide whether an East guy rides. If one guy is uncomfortable, then the jumpseat is denied. That is crew coordination and a safety first attitude.

 

Can you please explain "disadvantage west guys" ? The Nic award was a huge windfall for West, and stapled east pilots with over 17 years - WHO HAD NEVER BEEN FURLOUGHED- behind a new hire at the time of the merger in 2005? Please remember, in Parkers words, "Absent the merger with US Airways, AWA would have downsized 20-30% and layed off pilots". It's on the HUB if you care to see the PHX webcast for yourself. Professionalism should not be affected in the cockpit, and shame on pilots of both sides who do not behave appropriately on the line. Sound off on this site if you like, but the attorneys are going to decide everything, as the law has thus far. Binding arbitration was agreed to, just as the arbitrator agreed to follow ALPA Merger Policy (Nicolaus words in the hearings). Policy was not followed, the list was inaccurate as it treated MDA pilots as furloughed when they were not. ALPA didn't think some 150 guys were worth worrying about. In any case the Nic list was not part of the property until a joint TA was agreed upon, so here we are. USAPA will preserve west jobs, no bump or flush....why do West wish to take East jobs? Can you at least try to explain your rational? East has Europe and is the largest operator in the Carribbean, and has made all the profit to date since 2005. Why do so many of the West folks think that they are superior??? I beg you to explain.

 

Only been turned down for the J/S twice in my 21 year career here, (well after the strike).

Both by East guys and both of them called me a scab even after verifying my hire date.

Arrogance.

 

cactusmike,

Maybe you should get off your high horse. You guys also had a pilot drunk as a skunk with his bar bill displayed on the internet. You know the glass house thing.....

Hopefully this thing will work out with you guys. Until then, I don't think your rhetoric is helpful here....

 

flyharm:

<< East has Europe and is the largest operator in the Carribbean, and has made all the profit to date since 2005. Why do so many of the West folks think that they are superior??? I beg you to explain.>>

How arrogant are you?

First the East side of the operation is not making all the profit. The whole operation makes the profit. After the merger, East side benefited from gaining passengers that would of flew on AWA. (Believe it or not, alot of my neighbors did not even know who US Air was out west prior to the merger.)West aircraft received passengers that would of flew on US Air. Parker has added routes that you guys did not fly, thus the operation benefits. It you can find in the financials where it states East operations made all the profits, then please post. (By the way, did the East make all the loss than last quarter, or did the whole operation.) If you make all the profit you must have made all the loss.

After preparing SEC 10Q and 10K filings for several years, I highly doubt that profits are divided in this manner. They are divided between divisions of companies, like UAL has a maintenance division that does out side maintenance. The financials might show that Europe or South American drew this much revenue, but I am quit sure that the financial due not say the East operation made the profit, while the West loss $$.

I will commend you guys on the East for wanting to protect your pilots. Please understand that the West is also trying to protect their pilots. I find it funny when I have asked numerous East pilots about protecting their pilots and how far down the list they want to protect, I get this blank stare. Trying to protect 1987 or 1988 pilots is one thing, but trying to protect a pilot hired in 1998 and furloughed on date of merger is crazy. Why should he be ahead of an active pilot. Again I expect no answer. I never will get one on this issue.

 

You're changing the subject from jumpseat to incidents. And if one is going to use incidents for a standard of professionalism, we may as well throw human factors studies out the window and just go back to the old 'bad apples' theory where everyone that makes a mistake is a screw up and deserves to be fired.
Nice try but stick with the assertion, please. Oh, and I have no horse in this race. But I NEVER denied anyone a jumpseat on the basis of their politics or union affiliation.

My question then still stands. Is it the measure of a professional?

Again, I am an outside observer. Not with either airline. But I was a migrant worker commuting to various bases and know the problems of getting to/from work. But this isn't crew coordination or safety first. That's a canard to justify your anger and resentment. I will grant that emotions are high and that no one is happy but to try and push this one off as a 'safety issue' is a huge stretch. And if your F/O is 'uncomfortable' with it, someone needs some additional training. This isn't going downtown to Hanoi or Baghdad. It is just someone you have a disagreement with.

I think you would be more honest to just tell the guys, "**** YOU, no way" and vent your anger than trying to say, "Well.. safety first." and hide behind that emotional response.

I could be wrong.

 

FlyHarm:

You asked, "Why do so many West folks think that they are superior?".

The West pilots when on the offensive, when they were told they kid pilots with no experience. From start of this merger, the some East pilots have indicated that the West pilot should shut up and follow along, because the East pilot have superior skills. ( Now I am not going to get into pass accidents / incidents. UAL, AMR, DAL and other have all had their fair share of accidents. NO sense throwing stones.) But for the East guys to spout off that the West is inexperienced pilots is what caused the problem.

After this statement, that is when the West pilots started bringing up past accidents, and finds every mistake the East pilots make humorous. Lets face it we as pilots try to be perfect. Unforunately, their are those days when we do make mistakes. Hopefully, they are not the ones that cause injury, or a trip to the Chief Pilots office.

In the end it does not matter if an East pilot or a West pilot crashes an aircraft, it is US Airways. That is what the news media will report. The reporter in a side note might try and blame merger and other outside circumstances, but in the end the aircraft crashed and the whole company suffers.

If any pilot feels superior, whether East or West, then eventually that pilot usually gets smacked with reality.

Time to check the EGO at the door guys.