bogeydriver

Interestingly, I flew with her husband Mark on the 777. He wasn’t a scab, just strange.

757Driver

Strange how the last class at CAL in '85 didn't turn a wheel but are all labeled scabs while the United ones doing the same thing weren't.

I understand that it was up to each individual MEC on how to label the groups but find it an interesting dichotomy.

Tony Nelson

I guess you would have to be if you marry a scab.

O2pilot

Its because the CAL strike had been going on for 2 years, and it was clear that going there, even to start in a class was scabbing, since virtually every pilot that started in class went on to scab. I don’t know who’d be hard up enough to want to work with a bunch of scabs.

Regularguy

First, I'm one of those who "briefed" the men and women who were in school and became the "570."

Second you need to read the history and quit listening to gossip and reading the internet for your "truths."

The truth is the 570 were "hired" but were told by UAL Management they would not be considered employees of UAL until they finished their training and were line qualified. They were given training up to the sim check and had their OE to finish their certification withheld until a contract was signed. Because of this UAL's excuse was they were never employees and when they refused to cross the line released them. Essentially, to Management they were not "fired" because they were never employed.

However, two court cases later it was proven that UAL Management's perverted logic didn't hold a drop of water. For all intents and purposes the court decided on behalf of the 570 they were indeed "hired and employees" of UAL who were legally exercising their rights to honor the picket line. The next court decision gave them back their rightful date of hire and full seniority as a pilot for UAL.

Let's get it straight:

1. They did what you all should do if another Strike is called.
2. In spite of what you all heard they were not "fired."
3. Regardless of the personalities involved they did what they were asked to do. Will you?

Vernon Demerest

You are right. I should have put “fired” in parentheses in my post because I have never believed they were actually “fired” myself. I was referencing a post above mine along with all the “we were fired” comments I’ve heard throughout the years. Thanks for clarifying. I do find it odd that we would “hire” so many pilots right up to an impending strike. Would an airline do so today in a contentious negotiation? Probably not. In fact the new norm is to completely stop hiring and artificially create stagnation if possible (good luck today with looming retirements) while claiming the need for contractual flexibility etc in order to grow. If Scott Kirby ordered the hiring of over 500 pilots to be placed in a pool as we were taking a vote or were bumping up against a 30 day cooling off period I believe the modern day United pilot would see this as an act of aggression and/or a threat.
Big picture: the 570 didn’t “cross” (as defined by UAL at the time) and you and others should be proud of that. I just found it distasteful to hear comments by mostly 570 (and to this day) about all the Continental pilots (blatantly lumping them all together) being scabs/scab like behavior/scab airline. One jumpseat event during the merger stands out. 757 capt was so obnoxious calling Continental “scab this and that”...”scab cab” when passing 787s etc that the super quiet FO, a 1997 hire found my company email address and sent me a two page apology along with a background history of this guy to include his being a “570” and a lot of background on the 570s at UAL. It was very nice of him. I never once reacted to this captain’s comments (like he was probably hoping I would) and I’m sure he has retired but it was almost like a Southern conservative railing on gays only to be pushed out of the closet a week later. You know, those who seem to be the most outspoken on a subject often do so to shield their own remorse/insecurity about something. And in an effort not to do the same “lumping them all together” I’ll add that I have interacted with several who are top notch people both inside and outside of the cockpit. One of if not our best base chief pilot happens to be a 570 as well.

I know what I’d do in the situation they and the CAL active pilots were in during that dark decade and have been preparing for just that kind of scenario for years. I trust everyone else has contingency plans for a possible withdrawal of service someday. None of us want to see this happen and the chances of it materializing are remote. I also have life insurance/long term care insurance/loss of license insurance and, well, you get it. I view this as another policy that I hope I never have to use. If, with only a year left and relative labor peace ahead I see no need to have this slush fund, a very nice toy (maybe a twin diesel boat?) will be the reward.

JurgenKlopp

The 787 was the scab cab once upon a time. I was on it then. Never allowed myself to get backside hurt at title cause all I had to do was look at the utter dbag most likely occupying the left seat (Auger anyone!). It deserved the name.

Regularguy

Vernon

Thank you for the comment.

757Driver

And the 570 were completely unaware that a strike was on the horizon at UAL? I’m gonna say no, most were aware.

Not defending the later CAL scabs but am wondering if the UAL MEC had taken the hardline stance the CAL MEC did, how many of the 570 would have actually shown up for class?

Regularguy

The CAL situation was completely different so please don’t compare the two.

I guess too many of you for whatever personal reasons and satisfactions want to vilify the 570 in some way. My guess is jealousy because of their seniority. However, in spite of some of the personalities they were fully briefed about the possibility of a strike and told by both ALPA and UAL of what was expected of them.

All but a very small few chose correctly!!!

You all need to get over them and move on.