avi8tor4life

Could someone explain the "hats off" at United. Watched the press conference of the new MEC Chairman Wendy Morrison, and she mentioned it. Just wondering what it was.

WorldTraveler

The purpose of "Hat's On/Hat's Off" system was two fold. It was designed to both show group displeasure at the company's actions and to show the pilot group could act decisively instantly when called on to do so by the MEC Chairman. Indeed, when the "Hat's Off" text messages were received virtually all hats were off within minutes of the text.

The system became a joke though, when most pilots just stopped wearing or carrying their hats because they were just tired of wearing them from a fashion standpoint. Furthermore, the company changed the uniform code to make hats optional anyway.

Finally, the idea badly backfired when during cross exam of our then MEC chairman in the injunction hearings, he responded he wasn't responsible for various sporadic work actions of individual pilots. The company lawyers pointed out the highly correlated "hats off" actions to discredit the MEC Chairmans assertion that he had no control of the pilot group.

I have not seen the video from Chairman Morse but the MEC emails no longer contain a "Hat's On/Hat's Off" symbol. I believe she has also backed off from the "Glenn's Gotta Go" rhetoric.

skippy

in other words we suck with our pathetic display of unity and we continue to get P-Owned by mgmt-- woo hoo one more until the aer lingus startup

socalflyboy

I did not know you were a CAL pilot!

Fritzthepilot

Aye,

And ye can stop bye the gate for a rousing United ribbon cutting as we celebrate the first of many shamrocks doing the Irish jig from the good ol' United gates. I'm sure we will top the Guppy parking celebration (yes, United actually freaking celebrated the parking of a whole 737 fleet) This is the edification of the hard work and tough choices we have made at Yenited.

SoCalGuy

Agreed Fritz......that is truly a sad milestone which 'assisted' many pilots to the street.

Was Glenn there in person to celebrate this milestone?? If so, surprised no one helped him with a 'bit of cake in the face' that afternoon.

avi8tor4life

So if the "hats on hats off" doesn't work anymore why not put them all on again to show group unity and professionalism? Instead of looking mismatched and sometimes desheveled, look clean and crisp in uniform. Show them you are the professionals that deserve the professional contract you are seeking.

strfyr51

************************************************** ***********
Do you NOT believe for ONE minute that parking the 737's was NOT to show ALPA the "short end of the stick"?? The 737's did NOT have the Eicas NOR ECAM reporting of the Airbus or the other Boeing advanced electronic fleet aircraft.(so the Summer of 2000 "Flavor of the Week" Gripes could NOT be easily verified!!) If a fault is reportd on an Airbus and that fault is NOT an ECAM or verified CFDS reported fault? Well. It Didn't happen! And ! SAMC can verify for the most part whatever IS reported as fact once the airplane Lands. This was not the case on the 737. And it took the company a LONG time to "tumble" on to that. Look for the next Narrowbody to be FULL TIME/REAL TIME reporting and have the ability for SAMC to interrogate the airplane REAL TIME, IN FLIGHT without the need to download the DFDR or AIDS. Why?? Because the airline will say it's for "Efficiency" when it's REALLY to install an electronic "monitor". I lived through Summer 2000 as my first summer flying season as a controller.
I can almost GUARANTEE there won't EVER be another. That's why the 737 had to go. And why unless the NEXT 737 is fully EICAS?? United might Never buy another one.. Which is a damn shame because I LOVED the 737's

Fritzthepilot

Aye young ladde,

The wee little United guppy made it's last flight as it hop "scotched" across the country flying from hub to hub. Not sure if Mr. tilton, et al made an appearance. I have been told when he is on a UAL flt, he does NOT make an appearance in the cockpit. Celebrations abound at each stop until the ol' lass was parked at the SFO maintenance hangar.

Then the gen pop was told in a Dr. Seuss' way, why, the public didn't like the guppy, why, it was too inefficient at 2600 lbs per hour, why, believe what we say and ignore the fact that Southwest Captains make $206 per hour.

Aye, even SAMC has had his kilt ruffled enough to post above. Pat Patterson and Bob Six must be rolling over in their graves sipping on some 25yo Glendronach as they watch their airlines struggle.

Fritzthepilot

Sooo, Looking like
is gonna get the pay, pension, benefits, and work rules taken from me 7 years ago? You must be living on another planet not to realize what is transpiring in the industry at this time. No offense Delta boyz.