CAL MEC Chair tries to divides pilot groups
11-23-2011 | 06:39 AM
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CAL MEC Chair tries to divides pilot groups
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Monday morning, I was surprised to learn that the UAL MEC prepared and presented to each member of Congress a very lengthy report describing the problems they are facing with merger- and SOC-related training. As we have told our UAL counterparts many times, we fully support the UAL pilots’ efforts to ensure adequate training for their pilots. We believe that all pilots, regardless of their background, should receive the training necessary to operate at the highest levels of safety. Both airlines, CAL and UAL, have long histories of operating in such a manner and of valuing safety. While we must and will be ever vigilant to ensure that the merger does not detract from safety, we also must make sure that historical preferences or pride of authorship do not detract from otherwise legitimate issues. Had we been offered the opportunity to provide our counsel on this issue, I suspect we could have helped them avoid some of the negatives this report has created.
There were a handful of CEO Exchanges this week in Houston and Newark. Union pilots attended each of them and asked Mr. Smisek about the foot dragging that has slowed progress at the negotiating table and about his thoughts on pilot issues. Please keep in mind that these Exchanges are part of the corporate spin machine, set up as a platform for Mr. Smisek to get out his message. Don’t believe that they are designed to offer real communication or are a venue to get answers to questions. Just like you should never plan on winning a debate with a radio talk show host in these events, he is not going to provide us the opportunity to truly discuss an issue. On the subject of our contract, Mr. Smisek’s mantra of late is to tell anyone who will listen that he will not reward or pay one employee group (greedy pilots) at the expense of the others. He claims that everyone will share equally.
To that, I think we all know what a bunch of hypocritical horse dung that is. The executives of this company have had their hands in labor’s pockets so deep in order to line their own pockets that we shouldn’t be bothered about checking them for lint, much less any stray coin. Other than a few obvious “plants” who applaud every time he says something negative about pilots, I think the vast majority of employees understand that a rising tide should lift all boats and our contractual achievements will benefit them as well.
Finally today, as I updated my manuals this week, a thought occurred to me. Soon, we will be changing our call sign for ATC purposes to “United.” This will come as a function of the single operating certificate. As hard as that will be for many of us, it is an inevitable part of the merger. However, the fact remains that, until we complete the joint contract and SLI process, we must be operated as an independent airline. Legacy Continental must be operated separately until those two items are accomplished. Therefore, even though externally we will use the United call sign, internally, I think it imperative that we truthfully advise our passengers that the flight is being operated proudly by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines. I can imagine something like this, "Hello, folks. From the cockpit, welcome aboard flight 123, operated with the highest level of care and safety by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines." I think it important that we tell the truth to our passengers. The fact is that until the job is done, nothing has been created except a holding company with two subsidiaries. Everything else is just window dressing.
Have a good weekend and Fly Safe.
One Union, One Voice
Capt. Jay Pierce
CAL MEC Chairman
Monday morning, I was surprised to learn that the UAL MEC prepared and presented to each member of Congress a very lengthy report describing the problems they are facing with merger- and SOC-related training. As we have told our UAL counterparts many times, we fully support the UAL pilots’ efforts to ensure adequate training for their pilots. We believe that all pilots, regardless of their background, should receive the training necessary to operate at the highest levels of safety. Both airlines, CAL and UAL, have long histories of operating in such a manner and of valuing safety. While we must and will be ever vigilant to ensure that the merger does not detract from safety, we also must make sure that historical preferences or pride of authorship do not detract from otherwise legitimate issues. Had we been offered the opportunity to provide our counsel on this issue, I suspect we could have helped them avoid some of the negatives this report has created.
There were a handful of CEO Exchanges this week in Houston and Newark. Union pilots attended each of them and asked Mr. Smisek about the foot dragging that has slowed progress at the negotiating table and about his thoughts on pilot issues. Please keep in mind that these Exchanges are part of the corporate spin machine, set up as a platform for Mr. Smisek to get out his message. Don’t believe that they are designed to offer real communication or are a venue to get answers to questions. Just like you should never plan on winning a debate with a radio talk show host in these events, he is not going to provide us the opportunity to truly discuss an issue. On the subject of our contract, Mr. Smisek’s mantra of late is to tell anyone who will listen that he will not reward or pay one employee group (greedy pilots) at the expense of the others. He claims that everyone will share equally.
To that, I think we all know what a bunch of hypocritical horse dung that is. The executives of this company have had their hands in labor’s pockets so deep in order to line their own pockets that we shouldn’t be bothered about checking them for lint, much less any stray coin. Other than a few obvious “plants” who applaud every time he says something negative about pilots, I think the vast majority of employees understand that a rising tide should lift all boats and our contractual achievements will benefit them as well.
Finally today, as I updated my manuals this week, a thought occurred to me. Soon, we will be changing our call sign for ATC purposes to “United.” This will come as a function of the single operating certificate. As hard as that will be for many of us, it is an inevitable part of the merger. However, the fact remains that, until we complete the joint contract and SLI process, we must be operated as an independent airline. Legacy Continental must be operated separately until those two items are accomplished. Therefore, even though externally we will use the United call sign, internally, I think it imperative that we truthfully advise our passengers that the flight is being operated proudly by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines. I can imagine something like this, "Hello, folks. From the cockpit, welcome aboard flight 123, operated with the highest level of care and safety by ALPA pilots for Continental Airlines." I think it important that we tell the truth to our passengers. The fact is that until the job is done, nothing has been created except a holding company with two subsidiaries. Everything else is just window dressing.
Have a good weekend and Fly Safe.
One Union, One Voice
Capt. Jay Pierce
CAL MEC Chairman
11-23-2011 | 06:41 AM
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From: Unbridled Enthusiasm
Enough already.
Been beaten to death on the other thread, (which dumbfounded participated ), and only serves management.
Perhaps Dumbfounded is really Jeffrey hiding behind a moniker?
Been beaten to death on the other thread, (which dumbfounded participated ), and only serves management.
Perhaps Dumbfounded is really Jeffrey hiding behind a moniker?
11-23-2011 | 07:34 AM
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From: Capt. B737
Do you have a point?
11-23-2011 | 08:02 AM
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From: Unbridled Enthusiasm
11-23-2011 | 08:06 AM
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Not really, but after seeing a couple of you guys beat-up on posters for less than the Capt Pierce email, I have to wonder why you haven't held him to task. Capt Pierce wrote the email and it doesn't look like he's trying to unify the groups - WHY?
11-23-2011 | 09:45 AM
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I don't read it as trying to divide the pilot group. In fact I don't even know how you got that message from the letter.
11-23-2011 | 09:55 AM
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Do you any proof that the UAL MEC conferred with the CAL MEC before they published the report? any?
11-23-2011 | 10:16 AM
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Did you read the white paper? I my view it was very condescending toward CAL pilots and how we fly our aircraft. Just because you're United Airlines doesn't mean you invented aviation, there are thousands of ways to operate airplanes safely. One paragraph blasts CAL for using Boeing checklists, ummmm they built the things.
Do you any proof that the UAL MEC conferred with the CAL MEC before they published the report? any?
Do you any proof that the UAL MEC conferred with the CAL MEC before they published the report? any?
11-23-2011 | 10:26 AM
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You haven't answered the simple question: Did the UALMEC confer with the CALMEC? if not, WHY?
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