MEC Jumpseat Comm. Reminder on UAX Carrier Jumpseat Situation

MEC Jumpseat Committee Chairman Captain Bob Spadea would like to advise all United pilots that commute on our UAX carriers that you may be receiving a letter from the respective carrier's Jumpseat Committee the next time you request a jumpseat from the captain. In summary, this letter issues an ultimatum to the UALMEC and the Jumpseat Committee to resolve several jumpseat issues pertaining to computer programming software that sorts UAX pilots for jumpseats on UAX flights. According to the letter, if these problems are not resolved by July 31, 2008, jumpseats will be DENIED to United pilots.

The aforementioned problems have been identified and cannot be easily resolved due to the magnitude of the UAX operation. Some of these issues require software rewrites, manpower assignments and additional funding. In a series of face-to-face meetings between your Jumpseat Committee and the UAX jumpseat members, the parties were made fully aware of the complexity of these problems. They were also made aware of the limited resources, limited manpower and funds needed to correct these problems.

Your Jumpseat Committee is working with UA flight operations and UA management to inquire as to what alternatives can be implemented in resolving these problems. Keep in mind that we will not allow any carrier to use the jumpseat as a bargaining chip or leverage in meeting demands or forcing policies. In issuing this ultimatum to our MEC, these UAX carriers are 100% responsible for any consequences that may result from their course of action.

The UALMEC Jumpseat Committee will update you as appropriate.

 

This

Is

United!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

it wouldn't let me do all caps. doesn't quite have the same emphasis....

 

I just don't get it. Times are tough enough without infighting. Cant we get along and help each other out? I for one have a good deal of respect for the UAL pilot group. They will have a spot in my jumpseat regardless of the outcome of this.

 

well said ERJ driver. that original UAX letter about denying jumpseats was the worst possible way to try to handle this situation. yes its a problem but your average commuting UAL pilot did not intentionally rig the software. and UAX commuters should be upset but the frustration was directed against the wrong people.

 

But what would you have us do? It has been 2 YEARS! When is enough enough? It was a matter of key strokes that put UAL pilots at the head of a jumpseat list on Express carriers.

It really boils down to two choices.
1) UAL pilots get priority over the UAX jumpseats by the very fact the tail has a United logo on it.
2) UAL pilots get SECOND priority over the jumpseat right AFTER the pilots of that one Express carrier.

Depending on how you answer this question will determine how you think about this action. No one wants this pi$$ing match, but it's never the wrong time to do the right thing.
Finally, the UAL MEC is starting to listen. The UAX letter, however poorly timed, is the only way to right a wrong.

 

novel idea... how about the captains take control. if another pilot from your company shows up and needs the jumpseat fine tell the united pilot sorry the seat is already occupied. end of discussion. as captain it's YOUR seat to assign.

 

waaaaay to easy and boring

 

Something tells me that if the computer glitch was causing UAL mainline guys to get bumped off their own mainline jumpseats in favor of a regional pilot they would have raised holy he[[ and fixed it long ago. However, since the glitch benefits them they probably weren't real motivated to address it. Now maybe they will. Seems to me UALPA has shown no leadership on this issue.

 

How can the magnitude of the UAX operaton be any bigger or more complicated than the DCI operation at DAL. I guess DT got lucky and programmed the computers the right way the first time.