Originally Posted by jsled (Post 1871691)

Lost another 757. Now down to 32 jets (Lual 757s)

Originally Posted by Birddog (Post 1872374)

Hearing that Houston Council 171 is crafting a displacement resolution to help mitigate the effects of planned displacements there.

Originally Posted by Birddog (Post 1872374)

Hearing that Houston Council 171 is crafting a displacement resolution to help mitigate the effects of planned displacements there.

Originally Posted by Probe (Post 1872415)

Wonderful news. A ALPA LEC is going to attempt to abrogate seniority to protect - themselves.

Why was it we had a union again?

Originally Posted by sovt (Post 1872417)

I was wondering the same thing when ALPA cooked up a deal to get the L-UAL pilots into the 767-400 long before they would have been entitled to. Or the out of seniority recall of furloughees that were employed by L-CAL. But heck, it's ok when it advantages the L-UAL group.

ALPA brothers?

Originally Posted by sovt (Post 1872417)

I was wondering the same thing when ALPA cooked up a deal to get the L-UAL pilots into the 767-400 long before they would have been entitled to. Or the out of seniority recall of furloughees that were employed by L-CAL. But heck, it's ok when it advantages the L-UAL group.

ALPA brothers?

Originally Posted by untied (Post 1872403)

They don't have the authority to make any deals with management. If they are overstaffed by 200 Captains, all the whining in the world won't change what's going to happen.

Originally Posted by Probe (Post 1872415)

Wonderful news. A ALPA LEC is going to attempt to abrogate seniority to protect - themselves.

Why was it we had a union again?

Originally Posted by Birddog (Post 1853246)

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