Analysis: China’s recovery continues
 

Analysis: China’s recovery continues

https://www.routesonline.com/news/29...ery-continues/

Good news.....if true.

The big question is, how many people will actually fly?

Council 5 LEC Update
 

March 18, 2020

C5 Covid-19 Update

The MEC is in Special Session via teleconference all this week to receive updates from the MEC Officers and various committees as they work to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented crisis on our pilots. MEC officers are in constant contact with United management providing ALPA's input to help guide their efforts.

Despite what you read on the forums or your favorite social media platform, we are not ATM's for the company! Master Chairman Todd Insler has stated publicly several times that the MEC has always opposed the company's ill-advised stock repurchase agenda. The day will come when we revisit this topic with management, however, the time for chastisement and criticism is not now.

In the meantime, we are working very hard making sure ALPA's position is heard loud and clear while Willis Tower tries to figure this situation out. Your input is extremely valuable. Let us repeat, we are not ATM's for the company. The mantra of shared sacrifice rings hollow on the ears of those of us who have been around long enough to have seen this play before. We have excellent officers and committee people working on your behalf and are truly impressed by their dedication to each and every one of you.

When not on conference calls or teleconferences, we are answering your many phone calls, text messages and emails. Keep them coming! We need to hear how you are doing, what you are hearing, and what your desires are. When one of us asks a question during one of our teleconferences, it usually starts with, "I'm getting a lot of calls from my pilots saying...." We do request that individual members not try and contact the MEC officers directly, as they are working around-the-clock in coordinating with their management counterparts and the MEC staff. Please let us speak on your behalf!

We know that this situation, while not unique, is unprecedented in terms of impact and uncertainty. Even after the 9/11 attacks, we knew what the threat was and how to neutralize it quickly. CoVid-19 is a different threat: It's not readily identifiable; it cannot be countered directly (yet), and the scope and duration of its impact remain uncertain... for now. That said, we are confident that this, too, shall pass, and that United Airlines will emerge successfully.

As of last night, management was still making changes to their plan on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Like choosing a route or altitude, none of us flight plans without looking at the big picture in consultation with solid forecasting. Your ALPA Reps can't and won't make any decisions on anything until we have a clear picture and a reliable forecast. One thing is for certain though, more turbulence lies ahead.

For now, nothing's been decided. COVID-19 is worse than 9-11. The good news is we learned ALOT of lessons back then and will apply those lessons now. And for starters, we need to see the WHOLE picture before we decide anything.

As we work toward shaping some sort of strategy to get through this crisis and back to the prosperous careers we were all so recently enjoying, we need to keep one thing in mind: Nothing is Free. United can't come to us, cap in hand, and expect us to bail them out after their wasting of capital on buybacks. Anything they get from us will be temporary and come with a price. Let us say it again, Nothing is Free.

We are living through a global pandemic that has turned our world upside down. Everybody's stress levels are increased. As professional pilots, it's imperative we continue to do what we always do: Fly the Airplane. Prepare for the threats. Stay informed and engaged as future developments arise. We need you to care for yourselves, your families, and your careers. You can start by limiting the amount of cable news you consume (30-min in the AM, 30-min in the PM). Also, try not to mainline the financial news networks or internet forums all day. To the extent you can maintain social distancing; go for a run, visit a park, walk the dog or take the kids on a bike ride. Thank a nurse or doctor, thank the person restocking your local grocery store shelves. Be kind to each other. If you're sick, don't fly. Be smart about your finances. Wash your hands!

Lastly, the best way to stay informed is as follows: The MEC's link to COVID-19 news is copied below. Use that as one of your main sources of reliable information. Realize your Council 5 reps will try to keep regular updates coming, but your primary source of information is still the MEC Updates. We will try to fill in the local C5 news gaps where we can.

Fraternally,

Glenn, Chris and Phil

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to start a thread on the following:

1) Suggestions on how minimize furloughs (see American Airlines plan, etc.).

I’m a little concerned about the negotiating in public aspect of it, but there’s a bunch of information all over the place and not necessarily in one spot. The MEC wants our input and it would be nice to have all the ideas in one place.

China launched the virus on the world, just like Bird Flu, SARS, and other viruses.

Not sure I am believing their data. They just kicked US reporters out.

Trust China ? not me

Hi Sentinel, I see you are a seasoned APC vet with 32 posts since joining this month. Of course, at a glance at least 17 of those posts were made since 05:28 this morning. Big John? Tin Cup? We've had quite the rash of inflammatory posts lately from brand spanking new posters. It has gotten tiresome and I've kind of tuned the new guys out. Makes me miss Old Mako even more, sniff...

People who freak over a discussion on a given topic shouting that you shouldn’t negotiate in public are kind of like the guard police. They feel that they’re providing a valuable service, but they’re not. Our elected reps or the company don’t look to APC to see where the group stands. Both sides understand what this and other forums really are, an extremely small group of people arguing with each other, not even a close resemblance of where the entire group stands. Discuss all you want, but the only conversation that actually matters is between the company and our union reps. Sport debating can be fun, but at the end of the day we have no input until there is something to vote on.

In response to your last statement, all of our ideas are in one place. File a PDR and give meaningful recommendations, concerns, or expectations.

Your time would be better spent finding a cure.

And that place is not APC.

Email your thoughts to your rep. Anything posted here is mental masturbation.

I’m thinking that Mako could be a wise man. Taking a break from here could do us all a lot of good. I may cruise over to the what are you drinking thread to organize my shopping list. With an awarded SRL next month and my fishing gear ready to go, April may be a great month.