They don't ever seem to get it right, but with marketing changing their plans twice daily, I am not sure who to blame. And I don't really care who to blame.

It is just a shame to see so many lives' upended. Again.

 

Houston:

Several things have transpired on our recent roller coaster of events with regards to the plight of the Houston Pilots. We have a very complicated situation where I don’t believe the Pilots have been told the whole truth about our collective futures. That’s bad. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t give 1.9% of my salary to my church, but I do give those funds to ALPA. Therefore, I have a reasonable expectation that when the Houston Pilots are faced with adversity, ALPA should honor their obligation by protecting their*OWN. Sadly, it is my assessment that our said protection is not occurring at the highest levels of our MEC; more on that later.

I’d like to share my purview on a couple things. Certain promises were made to the flying public, shareholders, and employees about this merger. When the company approached the CALMEC asking for their support, they made a lot of promises that led us to believe this merger would be great for everyone, especially the pilots. These “promises” are the gist of my complaint. Since last May, when management paid the Boston Consultant Group to tell them how to manage staffing, we’ve been through several iterations of what would transpire regarding Houston staffing levels. Initially, they said there would be approximately 170 IAH 737 Captain involuntary displacements. Then, in October 2014, they announced ZERO involuntary displacements. Then, in January 2015, I was informed by our SSC that the company was looking at huge IAH displacements once again. Earlier this month, the managing director of crew resources was*invited*to address our MEC. He stated that after this summer, a summer that is bound to be perpetually wrought with SRM “opportunities” and reserve abuse, he would involuntarily displace 200 IAH 737 Captains, 100 IAH 737 First Officer’s and 40-50 IAH 756 Captains. I explained to this new manager that certain promises were made to our MEC before we endorsed this merger and how painful involuntary displacements would be to the IAH Pilots.* His response?* “Look, I was displaced, too”. (Pause for revulsion). No, Mr. Lavenant. You took an opportunity for a promotion and moved to Chicago. You were not displaced.

With regards to the “Protecting Our Own” statement above, I need to be absolutely clear that the decision to severely cut Houston Captain positions rests with the crew resources manager. However, I have to inform you that the IAHCPO put forth a stalwart effort and offered alternatives to these displacements. It was our Union that walked away from these alternatives. Your LC 171 leadership has a huge problem with that.* As Union Leaders, we must assess our readiness while considering the weak amongst us. Houston is not weak per se, but I can tell you that we have a marginalized position in regards to who will fight for our Junior Captains. We have a huge problem with that, as well.

Houston block hours are planned to increase by 2017. In addition, we are receiving 737’s at an amazing rate and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The Company is in growth mode and actively seeking any 737 they can get their hands on, because while United management fiddled and mismanaged, Delta grew stronger. When the UPA was signed, both United and Delta had 702 mainline aircraft. Delta now trumps us by more than 70 mainline aircraft. Smisekpromised*us a merger to create the largest airline in the world, but has managed us to a distant third. Though we are playing catch-up to our friends in Atlanta, we are indeed growing and with that,*there is absolutely no practical, legitimate, sane reason to cut any 737 Captain position anywhere in our system.And as your elected leaders, Michael and I are obligated, and committed, to seek help on this using any means necessary.

Fraternally,

Captain Ben Salley

Chairman, ALPA LEC 171

 

"Promises and protecting our own." Really? If your guide is doing what's best for the pilot group as a whole you really can't go wrong.

 

News flash:............Houston is no longer the center of the airline's universe.

 

Not to say the company won't follow through, but this is just part of the psychological warfare mgt likes to engage in before contract openers. It's quite effective.

 

With current oil prices, I'm willing to bet that there isn't nearly as much O&D traffic out of IAH as there used to be.

 

What's the purpose of the Houston letter? Our contract has language to protect all pilots during TDY, displacements, base and seniority assignments. If the IAH LEC went to MANAGEMENT and carved out a deal for a small segment of the IAH pilots, we should all condemn their actions.

The company created this problem. We should not expect our MEC to fold and allow a carve out for a small group of pilots to at the expense of ALL United pilots and our contract. This may have happened in the past but NOT TODAY!

We expect all United pilots to promote UNITY, why shouldn't we expect our LEC's to do the same. Enough of this BS, let's move forward not backwards.

 

Le Bingo!!! (kick ass first post BTW)

 

Welcome back, Andy.

 

Thanks. Hope all is well with you.