Looking through a new hire's eyes
 

For the most part I have played the role of a lurker on this forum. I went from being a hopeful future employee, to becoming a new hire. Before long, I will be on the line. I might even be flying a trip with some of the regulars on this board.

Up till now, I have refrained from commenting on the hundreds and possibly thousands of posts I have read. I came on here to learn and try to understand the culture, and environment in which I will be working.

I have the ability to see both sides of the arguments presented. It is easy for me as I haven't had to walk a mile in either sides shoes. I have empathy for both. I don't choose to pick a side because post ISL, there are no sides. Yes, it is easy for me because ISL didn't effect me. While ISL didn't affect me directly, the question becomes, will it effect me in the future?

I'm not a young person coming into this business. This will be my second career. Regardless, I feel young and my only regret is I won't be able to stay longer. I know there will be people that say my opinion will change. Sooner than later I will be sullen, *****ing and whining and talking about all that is unjust, or unfair. I really don't want that to be the case. I would much rather associate with those pilots that can teach me how to make the company better. Am I wrong to assume that the more successful United becomes, the more bargaining power we have?

So my question to all of you experienced airline pilots is this. How do we as a collective group make this company better? How do I as a new hire and an individual make this company better? Where are the threads on that?

While I won't claim to know this business, I do know all of our futures depend on the success of this company. What can I do to help? What should I do as an individual? What should I avoid? What can we do as a collective group?

I've seen posts that say we should all work together, but have yet to see anyone suggest what that process should be. Might I be as bold to suggest that some of you should focus your experience and wisdom on generating ideas and developing the cohesion to make this happen?

W. King, this board and others like it are pure entertainment and have nothing to do with what you will find on the line. That is, level-headed, even-handed, professional, SOP, safe pilots on both sides who, when they step onto a plane have only one thing in mind, getting their customers from A to B in the safest and most satisfactory manner possible with no drama. That's our bread and butter. You'll see.

What can we do together? Already done. We've got a contract, an ISL, and soon a single MEC. We'll quickly get over the past and with the growth coming our way everyone will win. This business is lumpy and unpredictable, but we're all now one of the big three surviving and there is much to be hopeful about.

Go to work being positive and upbeat and enjoy everything that happens whether good or bad. Be that pilot that everyone smiles back at and remembers because you made a positive impression on them.

If someone tells you they look forward to coming to work because of you, you won.

Agree 100%. To a person, every UAL pilot I have met in the crewroom or on the jumpseat has been nice, down to earth and professional. Now you will always have your 1 or 2% at every airline that are complete jerks, but that is a rare occasion and you just grin and bear it and move on.

Don't let the bickering on here make you think otherwise. This will be a fun place to work and as with any job, you get out of it what you put in. We are glad to have the new hires on board and their enthusiasm rubs off on us as we remember when we were new hires.

Welcome to United and I think I can speak for 98% of us that we are glad to have you on board.

Some on this board hide behind their screen names in a cloak of invisibility. And their rhetoric can get pretty shocking.

So...don't look for truths or fabulous, upbeat discussions on here. It's mostly guys (very few gals) ranting about this injustice or that. I find more informative discussions held on the members only message boards, along with the UAL TA Discussion page on Facebook. There, you must sign in and post only under your real name. It's hard to be such a blowhard when your background can so easily be traced. Guys that really get to flaming tend to build up a reputation pretty quickly. Happily, my observation is they are few and far between.

Welcome aboard. Glad to see the enthusiasm that I bring to work mirrored by others. Enjoy all the free beer your first year! You deserve it!

SCR

Pre-define who you are... so you don't get completely assimilated into any version of the culture....

Best advice. Remember you get paid the same, your schedule is the same and your lifestyle the same regardless of whether you choose to show up happy or miserable, choose happy.

Think it is going to be ok. Aware of opinions on on both sides expressed by friends on both sides with varying degrees of intensity. And even those impacted the most seem to be in the lets move forward mode. Like WK this is my second career, and am here by choice as am blessed to have other options. Bottom line is nothing I have seen yet makes me doubt my constantly growing conviction that barring an apocalyptic financial or world event, that this is the place to be as a new hire. With relatives in industry(whose warnings partly led me to stay in first career) and almost all my friends being airline pilots, know the danger of high expectations.

But flying newer airplanes for decent pay and 4-500 retirements a year will make it easier to drink free beers no matter how bitter the Captain is...or isn't.

Looking forward.

:)

This will help!

Najas Place