shhhhhhhhhhhhh, I might get banned

whats up brotha

Despite all that is going on in the industry I think the first post should be reread. We have to stop dividing ourselves we are all in this struggle together. Management loves to see us become divided it makes it that much easier for them to manipulate us. Although I don't like to see what RAH is doing I can not blame the pilots I stand behind them, and want to help them raise the bar in negotiations. The fact of the matter is they will soon own two LCC's all we can do now is stand behind the republic pilots and help them get an industry leading contract that we all know bedford can afford.

Agreed. It time to start wishing people well then wishing them harm. Back em up. The more people on their side the braver they might become.

Excellent, well thought out, well written, to the point, post. Wish more could be like this one.

Excellent post in the beginning. Summarizes everything we must endure on the line.

I'm going to print that out for myself, before this topic disappears.

I agree with the original post but we also have to remember that it goes both ways. There are some "sky gods" out there who feel they can be abusive with rampers and flight attendants and gate agents or other members of the team whenever they want.

Making it happen is all a big TEAM effort. We aren't in charge of the ground operations or the gate operations. 95% of pilots get that part but there are those few that give us all a bad reputation by acting like prima donnas.

While our job can be challenging at times, it is not really that hard. I think you are making it sound like some kind of super human feat. If it seems that hard, I think maybe you are doing something wrong.

I remember a winter day a few years ago. I was on a break and sitting in the pilot's lounge. It was a miserable day with snow and ice. The ground pounders were spraying glycol and shoveling the ramps as well as loading bags, etc. Not a day you would envy those who get to work outdoors. A group of about 4 rampers came into the pilot's lounge to get warm for a few minutes. They sat alone at a table in the corner. They looked a little uncomfortable and nobody else interacted with them. Later, a chief pilot came to the table where I was sitting and asked "how long have those guys been in here?" We said " a little while." The chief pilot then said "I'm going to go make a phone call." Shortly after, the ramp guys were gone.

I don't know what happened but I imagined the chief called a ground crew supervisor and the supervisor called one of the crew and said "there has been a complaint. Get out of the pilot's lounge. But the lounge was pure again.

Think how different it would have been if the chief had gone to that table and said "Thanks for working so hard on such a crappy day. Can I get you guys a cup of coffee or some hot chocolate?"

My favorites are the super hero pilots I work with who brag about the times they got out there and "threw" bags out of the cargo compartment when things were moving too slow just to "help out." Regardless if these heroes really did "throw" bags for 5 minutes. I'd love to see one of those dudes "throw" bags for 8 hours when it's 95 degrees and 90% humidity.

I think inherently pilots want to have unity.

Who is more important? The university philosophy professor or the person who picks up your trash?

Who is more important? The pilot who flies the plane or the gate agent?