To put the ESOP in perspective:

The original ESOP that was voted on by the employees and turned down by the IAM would have made the employees OWNERs unlike the ESOP we got after the IAM voted it down, made the employee's (Except the FA's who decided they wanted no part of the 2nd ESOP) RENTERS.

Didn't say it was THEE thing that took them there, but it was one of the reasons. If you can't understand that, you're not really a serious player in the discussion.

You really expect UAL to go back to allowing wide-body captains to work 5-6 months out of the year and pay them over $300K/yr? What color is the sky in YOUR world?

Here is what I envision: UAL is going to pay pilots a premium to fly overseas, fly at night and work long duty days. AND THAT IS APPROPRIATE, because pilots produce heavily and sacrifice by doing so.

Finally, you say you only wish to "be close" the highest paid in the industry. Are you willing to be "very close" to the most productive and efficient? I would submit that most UAL pilots could not handle the pace at a company like SWA. Many have had the opportunity to go over to SWA during the last decade (and some have) but most chose not to because they wouldn't like to work that much. JMHO.

Jay Dee

SWA does not work at near the pace that our narrowbody guys are at the moment. SWA has far better work rules with far more efficient trips and much more time off. Many of our narrow body guys are flying 90 plus hour months with 12 days off. Add in a large number of all nighters and late afternoon moving to early morning departure in a typical ID and you'll find that there are few SWA guys who would want to give our pace a second look. I don't care who you are these domestic schedules are a serious a$$ kicker.

I am a VERY serious player in the discussion. Believe what you want. I have been through every single up and down thrown at the United pilot since well before BK. It's funny how those on the outside want to believe they know what is happening on the inside.

The sky is blue.

I believe your vision is accurate.

Handle the pace at SWA?? You have no clue do you. Most narrow body pilots at United fly near 90 hours EVERY month with 12 days off.

I can only guess that you are reflecting on flying that was being done in the 1990's when the guarantee was 78 hours - with most flying around 75 hours. Those days are long gone.

United pilots are AS efficient as SWA or any other group out there when comparing narrow body flying. I have no way to respond to your apparent love for SWA crews - I will let someone else do that.

Hi Fellas,
I have a few friends over at UAL, and CAL, and would like to see your merger go off without a hitch. I'm a '95 hire at a carrier that competes with UAL in Narita, but currently fly domestic. I also recently went through a merger. You guys will have a few ups & downs over the next 18-24 months, no matter how it goes. That's the nature of expectations. My sincere hope is that you can collectively use the intrinsic leverage your position(s) command, and make this merger work to your advantage. Ask your union reps hard questions--respectfully. Attend every union meeting you possibly can. Don't let a very few pilots "run the show". Stay informed on the issues. Your career belongs to you. It does not belong to management. When they hired you, many of you resigned seniority numbers in exchange for a career. Take back ownership of it.
Fraternally,

Chuck

Lol. My guess is you used to work for Northwest, but now work for Delta. It's like a solving a riddle.

YIKES!!!! I thought I had a rough summer!