The senior mama bunkies who ask for the landing just crack me up. They are senior enough to get whatever trip they want....if they want a landing, they should bid a flying trip or enjoy their trip to TK.

 

Nobody is bagging on bunkies, especially not me because I am one! I can't get a flying seat to save my life.

However there is a sub group of bunkies that Hoss and I were talking about. They are the ones that don't engage during the briefing, never do a chart, when asked if they want the middle seat on the way out or the way back they reply "I'll take the corner for both". So they sit there in the NOB seat usually reading a book with earbuds in. During cruise when asked "what do you think"? They usually respond with whatever you want or thats fine because they have no idea how to make a decision. They rarely do the ETOPs stuff and if they do try it is half assed and wrong.

Bottom line, there is a reason that the LDRQ is now a mini MV and its because of these pilots. Gotta love when one of these checked out pilots decides to bid a flying a seat, usually because of a poor performance at TK, the FSAPs start to flow like water.

These pilots can usually be picked out by a mis colored shirt, wrinkled blazer (if they even bring it), stains on their ties, 10 year old un-shined and scuffed shoes and uniform pants from a second source that are faded.

Like I said this group literally does not care.

 

You can spot these guys walking through the door for a briefing.

They are almost always passive aggressive. They are usually the “mouth” during a briefing. They are concerned about the wrong stuff and try to bring up and argue minutiae. They create drama to subconsciously take the attention off their poor flying ability. When stuff goes really wrong they inevitably have one or all of typical age old excuses and it’s never their fault and they never take responsibility or ownership for their lack o skill.

These guys are not the typical rusty pilot who wants to brush up and get better. The pro bunky has perfected the bare minimum, acceptable standard, just skimming by lifestyle.

 

Ask them what exactly was running through their mind applying to United Airlines as an early twenty-something essentially unqualified pilot in ‘85 just as the storm clouds were gathering. We all know the answer; I'd just like to hear their explanations.

 

Not discounting what you say but the system allows it. In fact it is promoted by the fact that many bunky trips are more productive than the flying seat. Who wants to do a bunch of tag flying when you can just turn and go home.

 

You can say all you want but in the end, they didn't cross. That's pretty much all that needs to be said.

 

Blah blah blah.

 

No doubt about it.

 

Wow. UFB how such a positive thread - new vacancies - has turned into something very ugly. I've been guilty of the same sweeping indictments, but you guys are taking this to another level.

For background, I'm a 2000 hire; a twice furloughed dirtbag.

I remember sitting in a bathroom stall in the LAXFO back in mid-2001 and reading an unflattering comment about the 570. I've flown with more than a few 570 and I can't think of a single 570 pilot that I've had any issues with. I know more than a few 570s that I've flown with and they've all been consummate professionals. I've talked to them on layovers and I don't have any issues with the way that they handled themselves in '85. None of them crossed the picket line and I doubt that many were even viewing that as a viable option.

As for the Bunkie thing, I'm usually WB reserve due to my juniority. I fly Bunkie a lot. I can't think of a single fellow Bunkie that I'd classify the way that has been portrayed on this thread. ... maybe I'm that Bunkie? I hope not. I try to make sure I remain engaged and do my job. I haven't noticed anyone like has been mentioned upthread.

We can focus on the 2%ers; every airline/company has them. And they're pretty well known. However, I'd prefer to think of them as an anomaly and not deserving of an extended discussion.

This is a great time to be a United pilot; to paraphrase a Captain I flew with not too long ago ... this is the best we've seen it as pilots in more than 30 years.

Good luck to all; I hope everyone got the BES they wanted on this latest bid. If not, there will be more great bids to follow.

 

Take that positive mental attitude and keep it to yourself, don’t you know this is APC?