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Magenta Line - Monday, October 25, 2010

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Old 10-25-2010, 05:32 PM
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Default Magenta Line - Monday, October 25, 2010

From the United Continental Holdings, Inc. earnings conference call October 21, 2010:

“The combination of the new United network, which is the best single carrier network in the world, with the power of STAR alliance and our existing and planned antitrust immunized joint ventures across the Atlanta, Pacific and Canadian border, creates an unparalleled and non reproducible platform from which to compete for premium customers.”

“We are also making progress toward achieving a single operating certificate. We are well along in our discussions with the FAA regarding our single operating certificate transition plan. Based on those discussions and our own internal work, we currently expect to achieve our single operating certificate by the end of 2011.”

“I have set a goal to have all of our joint collective bargaining agreements in place by the time we achieve our single operating certificate.”

- Jeff Smisek

“Our combined fleet is one of the most fuel efficient in the industry, and we are working to optimize the new United fleet in order to have the right aircraft in the right markets to meet demand.”

During the fourth quarter we will remove one B747-400 that has been serving as an operational spare and add two B737-900 ER’ to the fleet.”

- Zane Rowe, Chief Financial Officer

Today is Monday, October 25, 2010 and we have four items for your review today.

Item 1: The New United announces future fleet realignment

On Thursday of this past week, CAL MEC Chairman Jay Pierce and UAL MEC Chairman Wendy Morse met with members of UAL management in Chicago to review future fleet realignment plans. This discussion included topics ranging from better utilization and redeployment of everything from aircraft flown by mainline CAL and UAL down to regional aircraft flown by the express carriers for both brands. Of immediate concern is the planned shuffling of regional jet flying by the United Express carriers Shuttle America and Sky West.

Captain Pierce subsequently held a conference call with Alliance Oversight Chairman Alfredo Suarez and ALPA Attorney and Scope Subject Matter Expert Mr. Mike Abrams (aka Scope Pope) to begin researching any violations of Section 1 of our current collective bargaining agreement. The appropriate members of the CAL MEC Alliance Oversight, Merger, Negotiating and Scheduling Committees have also been given the information, and are in the process of reviewing it to determine any implications, and ensure that provisions of our collective bargaining agreement and the Transition & Process Agreement remain in force.

The applicable parties are tentatively scheduled to meet with management this Tuesday to receive a more in-depth briefing on the planned realignment, and gather further details on how management intends to comply with standing contractual agreements. The planned realignment is not scheduled to begin until January of 2011, providing some time to ascertain the implications and develop a strategy to combat them if warranted.

Item 2: B756 Fleet - Electronic Flight Bag USB Ports

Per flight operations bulletin I-10-168 dated October 5, 2010, the use of EFB USB ports for any use other then as maintenance function is prohibited. Captain Fred Abbott has graciously informed your MEC Officers, no one will be disciplined retroactively prior to the issuance of this bulletin. The EWR LEC Officers thank Captain Abbott for his very reasonable and appropriate decision on this issue.

Item 3: Rumor Control

Rumors spread just like the children’s game of telephone, in which a group of children sit in a circle, and the first child whispers a made up statement to the child sitting right next to them. Then the second child in turn passes on what they believe they heard to the child sitting right next to them. By the time the original statement goes full circle and comes back to the original child, the message usually in no way resembles the initial statement.

Unlike the game of telephone, rumors can be a damaging tool that management or others can use to create uncertainty and disunity within a work group. During this merger timeline, everyone is hungry for information and at the same time, everyone can be somewhat anxious and apprehensive about our futures. There seems to always be an information void, some can and will take advantage of this window of opportunity to create an atmosphere conducive to divide and conquer tactics.

Rumor – A letter written by a EWR 777 CA has been making the rounds claiming “so called facts” associated with ALPA JNC’s retirement proposal to United management.

Answer - There are numerous misstatements and factual inaccuracies in the letter. So much so that CAL MEC Chairman Captain Pierce assigned JNC Lead Captain Mark Adams and JNC Negotiating Attorney Dan Orfield the task of responding to this letter.

Thank you for forwarding the email regarding the negotiations of our JCBA and more specifically the JNC’s Retirement and Insurance Proposal. We appreciate the confidence expressed in the email about the prior opener in Section 6 negotiations, which “laid the ground work for a dramatic improvement of career expectations and the restoration of career earnings” and “restored a significant portion of retirement earnings taken from Continental pilots in the twilight of their careers.” It is important to understand that the MEC’s goals and our NC’s goals for the JCBA meet or exceed those that existed prior to the merger. That is why, contrary to the e-mail, the JNC specifically proposed as a part of the JCBA that the Company must seek legal and regulatory approval in conjunction with ALPA to establish a new DB Plan. The MEC has been fully briefed on this issue on multiple occasions, most recently just days ago during our October MEC meeting.

It is also important to understand that how we go about achieving our goals, as well as the timeline for doing so, have changed as a result of the merger. To point out just a few of the many issues, our Retirement and Insurance Committee, as well as our ERISA attorneys, have advised us that the regulatory requirements necessary for obtaining IRS approval for a new DB benefit will be a much more complex and lengthy process now that the United pilots, who do not have a DB benefit, are to be combined with our pilots. In seeking a DB benefit for both group’s pilots, the last thing we want to do is jeopardize existing DB benefits, including the lump sum, that some Continental pilots currently enjoy.

As the timeline for, and certainty of, IRS approval is far from guaranteed, we could face very difficult decisions about how long we are willing to delay the numerous and substantial other improvements we will certainly achieve in the JCBA -- including not just insurance and retirement benefits, but improved work rules, compensation and job security while waiting on nebulous governmental approvals. For these reasons, and many more, after we receive managements R&I counter proposal, we will evaluate the next move necessary to achieve our goals. This will be a very dynamic subject of these negotiations. As we go through this process we, of course, want to continue to receive your feedback. We hope this e-mail will provide you the facts and context, rather than conjecture, that will make your feedback more relevant and useful.

I hope this helps better explain our situation. In the future, please try and refrain from buying into rumors and innuendos heard by people that think or claim they know. Your MEC will fully vet any TA that is reached by the JNC to determine whether or not it even warrants your consideration prior to putting it out for a vote. If it doesn’t, we will send the JNC back to the table in an attempt to address those areas we feel do not meet the needs of our pilots.
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Old 10-25-2010, 05:33 PM
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Rumor – A website with anonymous authors have been sending out a blast mail entitled “Union under siege” to many of our pilots claiming, “We here at XX strive to report only facts based on research.” The e-mail goes on to communicate complete fabrications referencing our MEC Chairman, EWR status representatives and the IAH Secretary/Treasurer. However, it does give rave reviews to our IAH status representatives. It also publishes the retirement letter written by the EWR B777 CA in the rumor above.

Answer – Throughout history, how many times have anonymous letters or anonymous websites, those where the authors lack the intestinal fortitude to attach their names, produced any credible information? The following is an e-mail received by your Council Chairman from the very same individuals, with an e-mail address from the aforementioned website:

“Jayson,

You aren't exactly pure as the driven snow. We heard you are now divorced, and we heard you are shacked up with a flight attendant. Is this true? If this is the case, suggest you keep your mouth shut regarding the personal lives of others.

XX admin”

When your LEC Chairman’s wife read the e-mail she said. “I’m looking forward to the phone call.” Then she added, “How stupid, they should have at least left out the part about being divorced if they really wanted to get to me.” Well all your LEC Officers can say, wow so much for “we here at XX strive to report only facts based on research.”

Rumor – EWR First Officer Representative Tara Cook is going to obtain a full time ALPA national committee chairmanship.

Answer – First of all, ALPA has no full time national committee chairman or committee members for that matter. Second, you might want to ask some of those national committee chairman or committee members (as we have a few here at CAL) how much of their own personal time they sacrifice on behalf of their fellow pilots for the betterment of all ALPA pilots careers. While they do in fact receive some flight pay loss, the vast majority of the time they dedicate is of their own free time.

Last, the fact remains that First Officer Cook didn’t seek out, but in fact was assigned a delegate committee chairmanship at the recent ALPA Board of Directors meeting in Florida. This chairmanship lasted a total of four days, as this committee was only commissioned and active during this past BOD meeting. Additionally, maybe you should ask why Tara was assigned that position without her knowledge. You see, it is rare for a first time ALPA BOD member to be assigned as a delegate committee chairman. Could it be that representative Cook, has earned a reputation as an exceptionally bright individual, while also just completing an impeccable twenty-year term of active and reserve service in the US Navy, which included many positions requiring significant leadership abilities, that make her perfect for the position of an ALPA BOD delegate committee chairman? So either Tara was picked because of her background and experience, or she was picked because of some heretofore unmentioned plans to move to DC and leave her Active Duty military husband (who can't move) and her two school age children. Which makes more sense?

Item 4: Chairman’s Editorial

There is a lot to talk about, so I will attempt to keep my editorial brief. If you have read the quotes above from Mr. Smisek, or read the numerous news reports, you can clearly see that our CEO has stated he fully intends to have our JCBA completed by the time the new United has obtained its single operating certificate from the FAA. Those estimates are just a little over a year away. While we are happy to hear this message, we must remind Mr. Smisek the CAL MEC will not ratify a new JCBA unless the following MEC contract cornerstones all include significant improvement and enhancements:

· Scope/Outsourcing
· Compensation
· Retirement
· Work Rules/Quality of Life

Mr. Smisek, if you are unable to work with ALPA to achieve our goals, then, simply put, you will not be able to achieve your publicly stated goal.

Regarding our relationship with our UAL MEC brothers, I must be frank with you and state the following: We are in agreement on most of the JCBA contractual cornerstone issues above, most specifically Scope/Outsourcing. We do however have a disagreement over how specific aircraft should be paid. Due to the confidential nature of this issue, I am unable to elaborate any further, other than by saying that I strongly believe our MEC’s position is based on what is right and what is in the best interest of all CAL pilots. Please know that your EWR Reps will vigorously and fiercely and fully represent our pilots on this issue and all issues having negative consequences for our pilots.

In closing, there has been some concern by some that I have spoken out on issues that should have been better left internal and out of the public limelight, most specifically my comments on the recent CAL MEC Town Hall conference call. I must respond by stating that you did not elect someone who would sit back idly and watch events unfold that posed significant threats to our pilots without fighting to rectify the situation for the good of our pilots. What I said on the conference call about our IAH Reps, I truly believe and stand by 100%.

You also didn’t elect me to sing Kumbaya with the UAL MEC, especially if I know that doing so would significantly hurt your career expectations. The actions I took on your behalf at the Denver joint CAL/UAL MEC meeting in September, or at this month’s ALPA BOD meeting have not made me the most popular CAL rep among the UAL MEC. My response is: who cares! As I told many UAL reps, my job is to represent the Continental pilots to the best of my ability, as I expect the UAL reps to do the same for their constituents. This isn’t personal; in fact it’s all business. When this merger is complete and I am truly a new United pilot, I will fight to the best of my ability for all United pilots; however, until that day comes to fruition, I represent the Continental pilots first and foremost.

Whether it is standing strongly against the UAL MEC attempt to position themselves in the SLI at the expense of the Continental pilots, fighting management on behalf of our pilots, or even calling out fellow IAH reps, I am a fighter and I will do what I feel is most appropriate. You elected a hard core, no nonsense trade unionist, and what you see is what you get.

That is all for today. Please remember our 148 furloughed brothers and sisters and their families.

Fraternally,

Chairman Captain Jayson Baron
[email protected]
(610) 442-3817

Vice Chairman First Officer Tara Cook
[email protected]
(610) 220-8904

Secretary/Treasurer Captain Tim Boyens
[email protected]
(305) 519-5588
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Old 10-25-2010, 10:14 PM
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You know, just when I take a deep breath and realise were all in this together so we need to compromise and make it work, I come across this guy and his "it's only business" crap and have no love lost when it comes to the JCBA and the SLI.

I've had to listen to that same line of "it's only business" from Tilton and his gang for nearly a decade and I'm sick of it.

So in the end, screw 'em. Go for the throat UAL MEC. It's only business.
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Old 10-26-2010, 04:06 AM
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every day, smisek and united delays-- they win ... tens of millions per month in low ass pay and benefits--- its not in their best interest to get this done quickly-- they are already benefitting from the merger decently-- do you think they NEED the pilots on board to make it better-- ( maybe) but they are already getting what they need from it.

the entire plan is a joke
ALPA will lose the 70 seaters to cal bases plain and simple
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:01 AM
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Originally Posted by SOTeric View Post
...........So in the end, screw 'em. Go for the throat UAL MEC. It's only business.
Seriously, do you really think the UAL MEC is fighting for the CAL pilots? I hardly doubt it. My bet is they are doing EXACTLY the same thing our reps are doing. If not, they aren't doing their jobs.
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:07 AM
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Call me clueless, but the "pay" issue under disagreement is the pay banding for the -400s vs 777s?

I'm not up to speed here, flame away if I deserve it, but could somebody fill us in on why this such a big issue?

Really not being smarmy, truly don't understand the situation.
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:14 AM
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Whether it is standing strongly against the UAL MEC attempt to position themselves in the SLI at the expense of the Continental pilots,
Again the oracle of sEWR speaks. So Jay-son what about UA MEC members standing strongly against a CAL MEC attempt to position themselves in the SLI at the expense of the UA pilots? You are saying this would be wrong but you are right? Doesn't ALPA offer a class to new council officers on how to communicate and not look like a stooge? Maybe you were too busy taking a swing at someone to listen. You are a disgusting piece of excrement. But I mean that in the kindest possible manner of "just business".



Is Jayson misspelling his last name? It reads as "moron" with the font I'm using.
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Lambourne View Post
Again the oracle of sEWR speaks. So Jay-son what about UA MEC members standing strongly against a CAL MEC attempt to position themselves in the SLI at the expense of the UA pilots? You are saying this would be wrong but you are right? Doesn't ALPA offer a class to new council officers on how to communicate and not look like a stooge? Maybe you were too busy taking a swing at someone to listen. You are a disgusting piece of excrement. But I mean that in the kindest possible manner of "just business".



Is Jayson misspelling his last name? It reads as "moron" with the font I'm using.
Lambourne,
I was wondering if you've ever met Jayson? If you had, you'd know he is a pilot rep who WON'T back down to management, goes to bat for our pilots, won't put up with BS, and yet all you do is degrade him. Wanna bet YOUR MEC is making the same kind of statements? I'm willing to bet they are, but they aren't being posted on this forum for whatever reason. I know Jayson as a pilot and as a friend, and let me tell you this right now, you WANT him as both. He is dedicated to the CAL pilot group and he won't let you down. I'm sure many on this forum don't like his approach, but he gets the job done instead of "sugar coating it" like so many of the reps we have. Stop the constant degrading please.....or would you rather he was a management suck up?
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Old 10-26-2010, 06:31 AM
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Ewrbased,

Glad you can add a positive light to the Jayson that writes these missives. I can only form my opinion from what I read and that opinion has not been favorable. If the UA reps are saying the same thing they are not doing it publicly. It appears as if he is trying to build a divide between ua and co pilots while also taunting the UA pilots.

We the line pilots have little input into this process other than a vote. My desire would be for these guys on both sides to fight behind closed doors,put forth a unified public front and present a jcba we will vote yes on. These public tantrums do more harm than good.

Jasyson reminds me that the guys that generally boast about prowess with; women, investments, second incomes etc are not as successful as they claim. The impression I make of Jayson is that he is being neutered within the cal mec and he has to remind everyone else how great and wonderful he is via his soapbox.

Personally I am looking forward to working with you guys and hope we can resolve this in a timely manner for the benefit of all.

L
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Old 10-26-2010, 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Lambourne View Post
Ewrbased,

Glad you can add a positive light to the Jayson that writes these missives. I can only form my opinion from what I read and that opinion has not been favorable. If the UA reps are saying the same thing they are not doing it publicly. It appears as if he is trying to build a divide between ua and co pilots while also taunting the UA pilots.

We the line pilots have little input into this process other than a vote. My desire would be for these guys on both sides to fight behind closed doors,put forth a unified public front and present a jcba we will vote yes on. These public tantrums do more harm than good.

Jasyson reminds me that the guys that generally boast about prowess with; women, investments, second incomes etc are not as successful as they claim. The impression I make of Jayson is that he is being neutered within the cal mec and he has to remind everyone else how great and wonderful he is via his soapbox.

Personally I am looking forward to working with you guys and hope we can resolve this in a timely manner for the benefit of all.

L
Lambourne,
First off, thanks for not "flaming me"......... I will tell you a few things about Jayson.............. He was hired at CAL when he was 21. He is an incredibly professional and highly qualified pilot. He ALWAYS took his crew out for dinner at HIS expense (when I used to fly with him), and would do anything to help our pilot group/flight attendants. He does stand behind what he says, and doesn't mince words. In short, he's an intelligent, professional, and upstanding guy. If he's being "neutered", it's because someone else doesn't have the balls he does to get the job done or say the things that need to be said. The Magenta Line is not written nor disemminated for "public consumption". It is for the EWR pilot group....period. That it is being put on this forum for all to see is probably more of a disservice than it is doing good. I agree that this stuff should be taken care of behind closed doors, and I feel that more is being put out here for all to see than should be. You're right that this jcba should be put out for us when the time is right for us to vote "yes". I too am hoping we can get this done and move on for the good of everyone. Let's hope it doesn't take forever to get to that point. cheers, ewrbasedpilot
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