Exactly CF, all that was needed was something, even a token jesture, to say hey, we know this is wrong, but we're stuck in the middle... not one word, nothing...

I also think their lack of interest, or support, is part of the reason that the EGL MEC has taken the position of not just returning the route to Eagle, but is going after the return of the jets since we are no longer not capable of staffing them.

A little support from the TSA MEC at the right time might have kept it to just the route protections, but after all this, I am now glad they are getting the planes back too. Although, based upon the multiple MEL stickers I've seen on them, we may not want them back. Isn't there something in the ASA that requires them to properly maintain the equipment?

 

Guess with the furloughs you guys won't be staffing those MIA flights after all. Hope it works out for you guys.

 

So it's okay with you guys as long as TSA sends in a letter that says, "Thanks for the flying. We'll be doing it even though it's not right"?
Gee, I hope you're on the jury if I ever get sent up for murder.

 

No, it isn't right. The point I was making was that the TSA MEC has been silent on the fact that their pilots are walking all over the eagle pilots contract. Both are ALPA pilot groups, and there has been no support from the TSA MEC over the lost flying.

In a way I'm glad AMR shifted the route to TSA, it allowed the EGL MEC to file a grievance and reopen the issue. AMR won the last one because at the time EGL was understaffed, hiring was in maximum overdrive, and EGL was unable to staff the 10 jets... the arbitrator leaned heavily on that in allowing a lease of equipment to TSA; then went on to state that had it been a transfer of routes or jobs it would be a violation and he would not have found for the company.

Well, here we are a few years later, and those planes are now flying transfered EGL routes, and EGL is planning furloughs while company planes are being flown by pilots not on our seniority list. Thank you very much AMR for transfering the MIA flying, otherwise we could not have revisited this issue.

 

I have been working lately and I have seen the TSA crews walking around the terminal, specifically yesterday and the day before yesterday. Stormy weather in the area had all seats in terminal occupied. Now I don't really care who flies what or in what equipment. The fact is that we are all pilots and if we are told fly ATR or ERJ in ST. Louis, we would do it, it's our Job and most of us do as we are told. Now in the mean time if you guys have a four hour break at least should have somewhere to sit and rest and watch TV. If your management does not want to work some kind of crew room; please go to our crew room, and I assure you that most of us understand that you guys are not the problem.
MANAGEMENT is and none of you should pay for this, most people that I have talked to feel the same way. It is not FAIR to have fellow aviators sit around the airport without being able to decently rest while waiting for their trips.

I'm tired of people thinking we are enemies "TSA vs. Eagle", MECs CBAS Who flew first last who cares!!!! if anything we should be together trying to defeat managers and their quest for destroying our profession!!!!

 

Top notch crazyhorse.

 

Of course its alot easier to pontificate like that when you still have a job.

 

While I agree completely with crazyhorse, I wish this thread would just die and be forgotten about. Nothing here can help

 

Excellent post, and in an ideal world I agree completely. Just be sure when escorting non AMR employees into secure areas that there are no section 15 issues possible. I don't want a guy sitting up in the terminal getting too fatigued to fly any more than the next guy, but until AMR issues something on paper allowing non-AMR employees into restricted areas, I don't think we have much choice except to enforce the secure area.

 

If it opens a line of communications... which obviously our individual MEC's are not doing, then that is a good thing... even if it starts a bit adversarial... eventually, a common ground would/should be found.