Let the UAL spin begin!
 

Those who have been following the saga over at UAL know that morale is in the toilet and the pilots are worn out due to manpower shortages. UAL has seen a spike in runway blunders and have been damn lucky to not have had a hull loss in a few of the incidents during the past year.

Last Spring UAL in conjunction with ALPA started a "safety stand down" to address some of the operational errors. It was a program called "On The Line" that included some focus on the growing problem of pilot fatigue. One solution that was promoted was self-assessment and the responsibility to self-certify fitness for flight.

Pilots are becoming familiar with depression and anxiety disorders, and getting help identifying acute and chronic fatigue in these company sponsored events. As a result, the sick leave usage rates have apparently risen. In response, UAL has canceled all further On The Line safety seminars citing budget constraints. About half of all UAL pilots have attended.

So with this tidbit as a backdrop, enjoy UAL's latest press release.

************************************************** ***

United Takes Action to Protect Customers, Employees


United Seeks Injunction to Stop Unlawful Job Actions of ALPA and Certain
Pilots

CHICAGO, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines today filed
a lawsuit asking a federal court to stop the Air Line Pilots Association
(ALPA) and certain pilots from continuing to engage in deliberate,
organized and unlawful job actions that resulted in hundreds of flights
being canceled and impacted thousands of customers and employees.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against ALPA and four named
pilots for organized sick leave abuse in opposition to the company's plan
to reduce its fleet size and furlough pilots and to pressure United into
renegotiating terms of a collective bargaining agreement that remains in
effect through 2009. The lawsuit also seeks an end to a public campaign of
intimidation that discourages pilots from picking up additional flying,
effectively engaging in a slowdown.

"It is absolutely irresponsible for ALPA to promote unlawful behavior,
particularly in this environment, when the industry is taking unprecedented
actions to offset record fuel costs," said Pete McDonald, executive vice
president and chief administrative officer. "Our employees are working hard
to make our company successful. We are going to ensure the integrity of our
operation and will not allow the actions of ALPA and certain pilots to
continue to harm our customers, our employees and our company."

McDonald said the company pursued every other possible resolution -- at
significant financial cost -- before pursuing litigation. These included
increasing reserve pilot staffing and negotiating with ALPA to modify some
of the work rules in the current agreement.

United also noted that the rate of first officer sick leave in certain
fleets is up 103 percent this summer. Further, driven by ALPA directives
and intimidation, picking up additional flying, as is standard practice
throughout the industry, has dropped precipitously compared to that of
previous years. In 2006, pilots were five times more likely to fly
additional trips compared to today.

"The job actions have escalated, and the impact on our customers and
employees is unacceptable, and must stop," McDonald said.

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,200* flights a day
on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United also is a
founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
customers to 975 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000
employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31,
2008.

I think its about time that US pilots start getting a little more apparent on how much this industry needs US!!! Without US...Birds dont fly!!! I also think when one pilot group is in trouble...then everyone should feel the heat...and we should all support each other...My pilot group is ALPA and you bet you last dollar that if this gets ugly...I will stand beside my ALPA brother and sister even though I don't fly for United........

UNITY is our strongest asset!!! If we don't stand strong next thing you know all companies will file lawsuits against pilot groups for "excessive sick calls"...you know if I don't feel good...I don't fly!!! PERIOD!!!

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!!! UNITY...lets support our United Pilot Group on this one because...I can see that this will get ugly later on for all of us!!!

As I see it, the United management has taken every opportunity, literally every single one, to abuse the contract they signed with the pilots to the fullest extent possible without incarceration. It takes a lot of nerve for them to cry about pilots abusing contract provisions. Apparently they don't teach MBAs that you reap what you sow.

Well, that all sounds good Past V1. . . . but after twenty years in the business and still learning there's only one thing that I can say:

To all managements at all airlines GO POUND SAND!!! You guys/gals think you're a genious for dragging airlines into bankruptcy then taking the multi-million dollar payout. And the others that are "genious" for driving up a stock price because your PUP is based on YOUR multi-million dollar payout -- it's going to be easier for me to replace my dwindliing airline pay with another job than to replace it with a multi-million dollar management job. I don't care how much you rob me anymore. I just know how much I'm not going to give -- end of story.

Oh Boo Hoo Hoo..... quit crying about it. They created this $hitstorm. Deal with it.

Allow me to point out the following at this juncture:

Without the ramp, the airplanes don't fly.

Without flight attendants, the airplanes don't fly.

Without mechanics, airplanes might fly, but they sure won't fly very well.

Without customer service and agents, the airplanes might fly, but there'd be no passengers ( = no revenue).

(*cue "This Bud's For You" music*)

And so forth. (We even need management. Maybe not the current management, but some form of management.)

Moving an airliner is a team effort. I wish that the hardliners on ALL sides would stop hardlining and refocus on the core business, which is moving people from A to B faster than they can drive.

Moderators shut down the UALMEC board...........

This is going to get interesting to say the least..........

As I see it, Mgt seems to be upset because the pilots aren't working extra days the way they used to in the past. They are only showing up for their scheduled events.

perhaps because it just isn't that much fun to work there as it used to be.

And yes, the airline needs the ramp guys.....etc. to fly, just as it does the pilots. But, I don't see many lawsuits being filed over the ramp guys not volunteering to work on their days off

Sorry but ALPA has screwed a lot of my buddies at other airlines. I will never support ALPA, but I do support pilots. The best way to support other pilots is to kick ALPA out. They dont care about the little people, they only care about more members equalling more dues collected. I work at a non union carrier and I hope we never get a union. Unions were born long ago and are no longer needed as they are antiquated and corrupted, just say no.

Thanks, Past V1. We greatly appreciate the support.

Maybe this will be an opportunity to get some press coverage of the onerous schedules we've been flying and how over time it just wears you down. Add that to all of the latest stress factors in the industry and you have a recipe for disaster. Disaster is not good in this business.

Brilliant strategy, sport: Kick out the people that stand between you and a management team that truly is corrupt.

You say you support pilots, but not unions. Tell me, how are you supporting me in my time of need? With kind words?

Well put..nice job!!!!

[quote=SomedayRJ;436000]Allow me to point out the following at this juncture:



Without mechanics, airplanes might fly, but they sure won't fly very well.





RJ,

Airline History 101

NWA proved that theory to be wrong... they busted the MX union and had replacements trained and ready to go the day mechanics had gone on strike. The rest is history...and the airline MX operations are just fine today.

Us supporting you you ask???

Us being regional pilots, how would you EVER support us?

Cancelling flights? Using alot of reserves? Needing off duty pilots to pick up extra assignments?

Sounds like a staffing shortage to me, yet they are going to lay off how many hundreds of pilots?

Got another job and won't be coming back----thanks Glen:mad:!!!!

You've GOT to be kidding. This post makes my stomach turn.

Quite astute observations, I would say.

Amen, brother!

Or maybe it's because the vast majority of pilots on the 737 and A320 are already involuntarily scheduled to 95 hours every month. Every summer month has been 11 days off. How can you pick up a trip with a schedule like that?

Well, it looks like we have a winner for dumbest post on this thread. Way to go.

Sure would be nice to see ALPA use the thousands of dollars I/we pay them to take a stand and fight for the pilots they represent in order to resolve the sick time problems at all airlines. If I'm sick too much I have to get a doctor's note. If I'm sick at the wrong time, I have to get a doctor's note. Haven't been treated like that since high school. Airline management needs to wake up and realize that truly successful companies work with their employees to boost moral and productivity. Being treated like a child really doesn't help. This is just one example of something that ALPA can and should represent not just UAL pilots, but all pilots to change how sick time is treated by managements at all airlines. It's not sick time abuse if you have earned/accrued it. It is the employees' choice in how to use that time until it runs out. I'm sure Tilton doesn't need a doctor's note when he gets a tummy ache too close to his vacation time!:rolleyes:

1450 hundred pilots.

2172 board as well.

So at your non union carrier do you have better pay and a better contract or are you under cutting the rest of the industry.

Don't get me wrong I think ALPA is completely f'ed up but to go in the opposite direction with lower pay and work rules is even more f'ed up. Will that solve the problems of the industry. For some reason I don't think it will.

I do support you, did you not read that I did? Yes with kind words, what else can I do? You voted for ALPA, so when you make a deal with the devil, well you know the rest. I never want to see those corrupt, no good criminals infesting the non union companies like they have done to your company. Kick them out I say. USAir did it didn't they?

Yes I totally agree with Aloha. What about the regionals? These people have been shat on for years and like Aloha says, how are you going to support them? Great point. I think the double standard is a friggin joke.

It just seems misguided to me to attack the CONCEPT of unionization simply because you don't like ALPA. It's a crystal-clear reality that all of the non-union carriers have sub-standard wages and contracts to go along with no protection. Sure, union-carriers have been taking a beating too, but at least they're fighting back. If you don't like how they fight back, that's a gripe with the union itself, not with the concept. Most would agree that the best contract out there right now among passenger airlines is SWA, and they have the most unionized labor force of any airline (94%).
Bottom line: you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. And it's damn well not worth it just to be a cheerleader for some pseudo-Reaganesque anti-communist nonsense, while a Harvard-educated group of executives and lawyers screws you from behind.

As to supporting the regional pilots, as it is supposed to work, we would be providing you new hire jobs at a career worth retiring from. As it is, we are just providing you with an 11% growth as we park our mainline aircraft and furlough our mainline pilots.

I spent my time being "shat on" as a regional pilot for ACA - and in Jetstreams, not fancy RJs no less - and I was happy to do it, knowing that my career progression continued to the majors.

ALPA certainly has made its mistakes, but in no means has this been perpetuated or can be blamed on ALPA. This is a direct result of mismanagement.

You don't park the assets that generate revenue, or furlough employees that you just brought back when there is a clear under-staffing issue. You don't devalue your product by making it difficult for your customer to purchase your product (which is a trip from point A to point B) with great ideas like charging for checked bags and soda.

This management needs to wake up and realize that in order for things to change, they need to be leaders that understand basic business strategies. They need to make their employees happy - and that, not shareholders or stock prices, should be their biggest concern. If it is, the employees will take care of the customer, and in turn, the company will hold value for investors and shareholders.

While I do not condone illegal action (and I do not believe that using earned sick time due to the pressure of an ill-run operation is), I certainly hope it can shed light on the mismanaging of this airline, and in turn, most airlines with similar "shrink to profitability" ideas.

Just my opinion,
Randy

I hope ALPA is evaluating a counter lawsuit for liable. Nothing has been proven to be unlawful, yet Mr. Tilton says hold out to the public that ALPA is a criminal organization.

This looks like clear evidence that United management is in the death throws having bled itself dry of any leadership or management acumen it once had. Now all it has is accusations, transfer of blame, and lawyers.

Sad. So sad. United could be a great company again if it had competent management and just a little bit of leadership.

They still needed mechanics. You can substitute cheap labor, but you still *NEED* the workforce.

Happy employees=Happy Customers=Profits.
SWA proved that and yet the majors still don,t get it.
I,m beginning to think that some CEO,S want their carrier to fail.
All the best to you guys over at UAL.

I beg to differ.....SkyWest may be non-union, but we have some of the best employee-management relations in the industry, union or not. Our pay is not the HIGHEST, but certainly near the top as far as regional jets go.

Plus, what other airline gave ALL of it's employees a $420 bonus EACH for meeting on-time/completion/performance metrics?

SkyWest may be non-union....but hey, we're NOT furloughing.

Plane Buzz
 

PlaneBuzz



July 30, 2008

United Airlines Sues ALPA Over What It Terms "Unlawful Job Actions"

http://www.planebuzz.com/ap_canceled...0411_mn-tm.jpg
Last week in the United Airlines' earnings call, CEO Glenn Tilton more or less dismissed a question from reporter Dan Reed from USAToday concerning increasing pilot staffing issues and cancelled flights at the airline.
The question was relevant, as we talked about in PlaneBusiness Banter two weeks ago. Why? Because based on conversations we were having with folks close to the situation, and comments from subscribers, it was pretty obvious that a situation was developing at United that resembled, in many aspects, the showdown between pilots and management at Northwest Airlines last summer.
There didn't seem to be any question that pilots at the airline were engaging in a little "work to rule" as the end of the month rolled around. Just as we saw with Northwest last year, if you have pilots who refuse to pick up extra flying, along with higher than normal sick time calls, and you've got flying schedules maxed out because of summer schedules -- all the ingredients are there for an opportunity to force the airline into flight cancellations.
This week, apparently United Airlines does consider the issue relevant, as today the airline filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the pilot union, ALPA, and a group of individual United pilots, for allegedly abusing sick time.
The injunction request accuses the ALPA of encouraging a sick-out, which is not allowed under the Railway Labor Act. It also said that pilots were refusing to pick up extra flying, and that others were being intimidated into not taking on additional flying.
"ALPA's communications are essentially a guide describing how to use sick leave inappropriately," United's injunction request said.
United said in its request that the first officers on its Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s had called in sick the most frequently. First officers on Boeing 737s had called in sick more than twice as much over the past seven weeks versus the prior three years, and sick calls by Airbus 320 first officers had risen 61%, the airline said.

United said it canceled 329 flights between July 19 and July 27, costing it about $8 million in lost revenue and $3.9 million in operating profit.
Talks between the union and the airline apparently broke off last week, according to United COO John Tague, who issued a message to employees this afternoon in which he said,
"Despite these significant steps, unlawful job actions escalated, intimidation of pilots continued and the impact on our customers and other employees grew to truly unacceptable levels," he said.
Specifically, according to the Associated Press (we have not seen a copy of the actual request to the Federal Judge as of yet, we're off to find one) the airline accused pilot Anthony Freeman of starting a Web site to organize the sick-out by junior pilots. It said the group was called "the 2172" because they were among the 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
The other three pilots named by United — Steven M. Tamkin, Robert J. Domaleski, Jr., and Xavier F. Fernandez — are members of the Industrial Relations Committee of the Master Executive Council at United's ALPA unit.
All of this comes three days after we received a missive in our in-box from the United ALPA MEC. The missive was entitled, "The beatings will continue until morale improves."
According to the "Unity Update #6",
"The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves How's my summer going? I'll have my cheeseburger in Paradise now, thank you very much.
Posted by Holly at 3:50 PM

Thank you for bringing the topic back to the initial thread.

Continental.

Delta also. I believe last year they paid out almost 900 per employee. They pay the bonuses on a monthly basis.

Plus, IIRC, post-bankruptcy profit sharing...for the one profitable quarter. :cool:

Horizon gives up to $300 per quarter to anyone on property for the entire quarter. Skywest doesn't give the bonus to first year employees. Kinda like the first year FOs in MKE won't get the moving incentive. I guess Jerry doesn't feel first year employees contribute to the performance of the airline.:rolleyes:

As to the United stuff, I read the letter that management sent out last week while riding the jumpseat. What a friggin joke. Good luck to everyone at UAL.

Big Daddy CAL has given us, at ExpressJet, over $500 in the past year for on-time.