C-171 CA Rep election
 

We're having an election to fill the position Jeff Bohl held before his untimely passing. As of now three candidates. Gary Edwards, Brad Hutchens and Chuck Cummins...

Fellow Houston Pilots, Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Gary Edwards and I am asking for your nomination in the upcoming Council 171 Captain Representative election.

The tragic passing of Captain Jeffery Bohl was a shock to his family, friends, and coworkers. It has also put us in this untimely position to once again fill the Captain’s Representative position in Houston.

Jeff and I worked together on the Professional Standards Committee to support the Houston pilots for more than two years.* When Jeff was elected as our Captain’s Representative he asked me to be the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee.* I was honored to be asked, and I readily accepted.*

Since holding the position as the Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee I have had the opportunity to work closely with Nicholas and Jamie on a number of issues that have affected our Houston pilots and their livelihood. I believe we can continue this concerted effort.*

Jeff, Nic, and Jamie, your Council 171 Representatives, have made significant strides for our Houston based pilots in a very short time.* This council represents over 2000 pilots.* We are the second largest base, behind Newark.* This means a significant opportunity to all our pilots to be represented to the MEC and the company.*

I have been a Houston based pilot since my wife and I moved to Kingwood in 1987.* A long time. I have held positions as both a First Officer and a Captains Representative.* I have also been a Line Check Airman

It is a wonderful time to be a United pilot. We have industry leading wages and a sufficient contract. But it does not come without its challenges, both present and future. * I have seen the ebb and flow of this base, and that of other bases within our system, past and present. We are at a crossroads in Houston.* A cross road I feel our current C171 representatives had our combined best interest sharply in focus until this tragedy. *

I, Gary Edwards, I am asking for your nomination to the Council 171 as your Captain Representative.* I will continue our momentum and help shape the future of our Houston based pilots and United Airlines.* Please fill out and return your ballot.* Or, I encourage you to attend the July 7, 10:00am UAL Council 171 meeting at the IAH Marriott to cast your vote.* There will be additional ballots available.

Please feel free to contact me directly with your questions.

Sincerely,

Captain Gary J. Edwards

Fellow Houston pilots,

My name is Brad Hutchens and I'm asking for your nomination in the upcoming Council 171 Captain Representative election. It's somber the circumstances that necessitated this vote, but I can't think of a better way to honor Captain Jeff Bohl than to continue the work he started. The council has made terrific strides forward in terms of organization, communication, and responsiveness to pilots, and I believe that I can keep that momentum moving forward. I have a good working relationship with Nic and Jamie, and I feel that will serve the council well moving forward.

I've been at United for twenty-one years. As a new hire I was a flight engineer on the 727, and since then I've flown as a First Officer on the 737, 757 and 767, as well as Captain on the Airbus. I am currently a Houston-based Airbus Captain and I flew the 756 in Houston before that. I live locally in The Woodlands with my wife Meridith, daughter Lindsay and son Ryan. My brother Scot is also a United pilot here in Houston, having flown the 737 and now 777.

Currently I'm the Local Schedule Committee Chairman for Council 171. I served as the C12 Local Schedule Committee Chairman in ORD for a number of years before helping setup the new Houston LSC in 2013. I was a volunteer on the original contract hotline (similar to the UDO program), and I helped train the furloughees who were hired to staff the second iteration of the hotline (UPAAS). I've been doing scheduling work for ALPA for almost ten years as well as serving on the MEC Grievance Review Panel for the last 4 years.

I believe that a union rep's job is one of service and that every member deserves representation. Helping fellow pilots is an honor, and it's is why I've done the work in the past. If I'm elected I'll answer every voicemail, text or email within 24 hours. If there is another resource within ALPA that can fix your issue better, or in a more timely manner than I can, I'll make sure you get that assistance.

Council 171 is the second largest council in UAL ALPA. It is imperative that your voice and your priorities are heard and understood at the MEC. I will ensure that they are.

When you receive your ballot, I humbly ask you write in my name, sign and return.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Thank you for your support!
Captain Brad Hutchens

Pilots of Local Council 171,

My name is Captain Chuck Cummins, and I ask for your support as Captain Representative of United ALPA Council 171. The circumstances resulting in this special election are tragic and untimely. The premature passing of Captain Jeff Bohl has generated a significant void for Council 171. While expected that such a significate loss be upsetting, reality is that Council 171 must move forward and continue the day to day business of pilot advocacy and involvement.

I was hired at Continental Airlines in 1990. I am currently based in IAH as a B737 Captain and have held that position in excess of 11 years. Additionally, I have operated the B747, DC-10, DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft. My involvement with ALPA is significant in that I was CAL ALPA Training Committee Chairman 2005-2008 and CAL then UAL ALPA Safety Committee/Action Team Member 2008-2013.

My desire to be the IAH/LC 171 Captain Representative comes from a single driving force; to advocate for the 171 Pilots! During the time I did ALPA volunteer work, I received numerous calls from Pilots who either had questions regarding contract interpretation or concerns regarding operational/safety circumstances. It is during those calls and resulting circumstances when having a results-driven advocate on your side means everything. Currently, there are several topics that have a potential to concern the IAH/LC 171 Pilots. These issues include but are not limited to the RHA VEBA, Scheduling and Retirement. If elected LC 171 Captain Representative, you have my word that I will address these issues at the July, 2016 MEC Meeting and report back to you my discoveries and conclusions.

In reality the Captain Representative speaks the minds of the Pilot body. The Captain Representative must be knowledgeable of the issues that concern the Pilots and have the fortitude to address those issues, with results. My past record of pilot advocacy proves my willingness to serve with honesty, integrity and transparency. I live locally and will represent you unconditionally! I ask that you complete your nomination ballot with my name, Chuck Cummins, and mail it immediately. Should you have further questions about my candidacy, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Respectfully,

Captain Chuck Cummins

********************

Has this guy been paying attention?

I've flown with Gary, and he is a great guy. Not management, and yes, he does pay attention.

Interesting you endorse Edwards after Birddog choose to post Edwards letter first. I only responded to the political aspects of what the 3 guys wrote in their proffers.

Brad Hutchens(LUAL) probably doesn't have a chance of getting elected considering the history of former LCAL base voting.

Chuck Cummins doesn't carry the political baggage the other 2 do and from a logical standpoint would put him at the top of the voter list.

With the change of pilot makeup in Houston, maybe it's time for a Captain Rep that has no ties to the militant LUAL side or the LCAL "friends of Fred" side. Sending new blood to the MEC table may be something needed to restore ALPA to it's past glory. Chuck Cummins is the logical choice and the Houston guys need to VOTE.

No conspiracy, and I was not on the grassy knoll with the magic bullet.

It's simple: I've flown with Gary. I think he's a nice guy and very easy to work with, and we are from original opposite legacies.

I've never met the other two, so I can't testify to their character.

The SAME Chuck Cummins that was so anti-UAL after being let go from the Safety Committee awhile back right after the MEC merge ?!

Better dig a little deeper........

Jeff and Nick were both LUAL, so not sure about your first point.

Also Chuck, has more political baggage then the other two combined.

Chuck was dismissed simply for being lcal and no other reason. His ire was directed at those responsible, not the line pilots.

His BS rants on the UALPilots forum were not just at those responsible. He felt he was released because he was lcal. The others on the committee have a different view. I wasn't there in the room when it happened so I have know idea which side is true. But the rants were unacceptable.

Yeah......THAT'S the ticket - lol.

Total and utter B.S.

And his comments saying that was the only reason completely DISQUALIFIES him from being the IAH Captain rep, in my opinion.

Clearly Staller's endorsement carries heavy weight. Just ask him. Also remember Chuck knows with precision how to time the stock market. Trust your B Plan and 401K in Chuck.

So, I take it that you endorse Chuckie. Is that because he knows how the system works? Or is it a pure and simple LCAL against ALL recommendation. I take it he's your financial advisor as well.

Given that you seem to have completely fumbled the background of one candidate, clealry the endorsement of a flamer like you is at best ill advised.

You have gone completely off the deep end.......

Maybe he should have been a little more clear about his intent and plans for the #171. The other two made it fairly simple as to intent. Your man seems to more like Gordon B stepping in to save the day and gone before the ink dries. Why don't you rewrite his proffer? Is he part of the dark side of LCAL history? In what years and what bases was he a Captain and F/O rep? Do we really have a "sufficient contract" or is that his code for doing backroom deals with management?

I'm a LUAL guy that supports a LCAL guy - what's wrong with that?

Yea so you tell us why since you seem to have the answers. Couldn't have been his record, which was exemplary at saving pilots from management and FAA action.

FYI having a base with a large amount of pilots does matter because although most MEC votes are senatorial (1 rep, 1 vote), certain cases allow a roll-call vote, in which each rep votes with the number of pilots they represent.

Without commenting on the individuals, I think it's great that 3 pilots have stepped up for the position.

Please vote!

Nope not his record at CAL anyway.

UA and CO had totally different safety cultures. Both had great records, but different cultures. ESPECIALLY when it came to an accident or incident.

The MEC decided to go UA's way, and Chuck didn't get the chair.

He didn't agree and didn't work within the bounds of the committee he served on. He was fired.

Then he ranted ad nauseum about how it was just because he was from CO.

Were the others on the Committee lual? Have flown with Chuck, i pay attention to what he thinks of the market, and can think of very few people i would rather have with me if i had to face a disciplinary hearing. Still, trying to figure out what separates these 3 guys other than legacy.

Would you care to point us in the direction of ALPA bylaws and constitution that allows a representative to vote for the total members in his LEC? Maybe a cut-and-paste?

With a Captain and F/O rep, do they both get to vote for the same members giving them super voting powers????

I agree that each pilot should vote but before you do - read the proffers and go to the next couple of LEC meetings.

The number of pilots is of no significant advantage on the MEC. It's only worth one vote at the board. Ask Ben Sally.

It is an advantage in a MEC roll call vote where your voting power is determined by the number of pilots you represent.

I have been a Houston based pilot since my wife and I moved to Kingwood in 1987.* A long time. I have held positions as both a First Officer and a Captains Representative.* I have also been a Line Check Airman

Were these management positions or ALPA elected/appointed positions?

You really don’t know which of these are ALPA positions? Additionally the FO and CA rep are always elected, never appointed positions. You really need to read the ALPA CB&L.

It is a wonderful time to be a United pilot. We have industry leading wages and a sufficient contract. But it does not come without its challenges, both present and future. * I have seen the ebb and flow of this base, and that of other bases within our system, past and present. We are at a crossroads in Houston.* A cross road I feel our current C171 representatives had our combined best interest sharply in focus until this tragedy. *

I take this as one who feels the contract is good enough and no work is needed to improve or fix many of the current contract issues.

If I remember correctly two-thirds originally thought this contract was good enough and that was reiterated by the I think 80% who voted for the extension. Of course he would work to improve the contract. Your attempt to spin what he wrote does not change that.

You are so off base in your understanding of the politics in C-171. Are you really based there? Nic and Jeff were both former L-UA and were elected.

A big problem with Cummins is he has done nothing but spew insults towards the former L-UA pilots since the merger. His latest swipe just in the last week was he said this:

"My motto: "A Granola in every pot"

"Ask not what dry cleaning can do for you. Ask what YOU can do for dry-cleaning""

And now that he has decided to run for ALPA elective office he wants everyone to believe he has suddenly changed his stripes.

Birddog

By the orders of proffers that you presented and comments, it's obvious you have and agenda. Maybe the dark-side of CAL wouldn't like to see a LUAL majority LEC in IAH. I agree the politics of IAH has changed but it was just a short time ago that the then LEC rep brokered a backroom deal with local management to give super senority for a select few.

From all the great things being said about Edwards, maybe he would be better of appointed to the R&I committee instead of heading the largest pilot base.

All politics are local and if you want to keep them local don't put them on a public forum.

As far as the contract goes, I don't think anybody voted for the contract, just the pay raise.

You got me. Me and Jay Pierce are buddy's and this is part of Jay's master plan. You can't even keep the can't even keep the players straight. The group that according to you "brokered a backroom deal with local management to give super seniority to a select few" have rallied around and are actively promoting your choice Cummins. Elections sure make strange bedfellows.

Edwards isn't the forum stock svengali, Cummins is. Wouldn't you want the svengali on the R&I committee instead of Edwards?

I don't care if local politics is on one of the forums or not. It's just another medium for communication. Cummins has been posting away on the other two forums by the way.

I don't think legacy matters much anymore to most IAH pilots and it doesn't matter either to two of the candidates for CA rep and supposedly one who just had a miraculous change of heart on the subject.

Dogg

Does he have good stock tips ?!

Exactly how it went down - don't know if he changed his ways but the immaturity in which handled his business before and after his ALPA Safety Committee tenure was shocking and amazingly pre-school like.

Not my vote but this is not a simple choice for Houston.

You guys sure seem to be pushing Edwards. Since you brought up your buddy Jay Pierce - Do you think Edwards will be as good a leader as your buddy Pierce. What's JP doing nowadays?

• (2) Whenever a roll call vote is taken, a representative shall vote all the members in good standing he represents. (C&BL Article I – Section 16)

I am not privy to the inner workings of the UAL MEC, but roll call votes are fairly common in MEC meetings. I've seen them used to bully people around (large bases vs. small bases) and also to split the vote for political reasons.

The vote only taken as a roll call if it is asked for, however. It's not a normal thing usually.

This.

The mere fact that somebody who claims to be fairly senior denies knowledge of roll call protocol certainly destroys their credibility with all other union issues, IMHO.

It's pretty friggin basic.

I'm sure you knew it :rolleyes: - when was the roll-call vote called for and used at a UAL or LCAL MEC meeting? Just curious since you seem to know.

Thanks Joe -

One could easily find out by reviewing the MEC meeting minutes. Why don't you do that and answer your own question?

NO! It's just fodder that takes away from the election and that's the point of the thread. Remember it was smoke and mirrors that got the likes of Jay Pierce and Paul Whiteford elected to represent their respective pilots groups.

Hopefully, more than a few guys will show at the July meeting and ask hard question from all the candidates.

Roll call votes are typically taken for two reasons:

1. Demonstrate the will of the body/make a point to management and/or another entity that the pilot group shouldn't be pushed around.

2. To defeat an issue that must be defeated (or pass an issue that must be passed) for the sake of the pilot group at large if the vote did not go your way in a senatorial vote.

When the scabs controlled CAL MEC from the 9/11 furloughs to roughly 2007, the roll call vote was used to shoot-down policies/legislation originating from those bases controlled by and influenced by the scabs, or scab friendly (abbot friendly) forces. Instructors council, GUM council, and CLE council typically voted "strange." In those cases you had very small pilot domiciles with many senatorial votes, but with few roll call votes. A roll-call vote is a quick and easy way of removing the teeth from the heel hounds and putting them back in their dog house.

Houston UAL Council 171

Meeting Notice

DATE:

Thursday, July 7, 2016

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: IAH Marriott
18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Houston, TX 77032
281-443-2310
(self-parking will be validated)

AGENDA:

1.****Approval of Meeting Minutes from 4/4/16

2.****Officer Reports

3.****Membership Application for Captain Greg Jacobsen

4.****Nomination and Election of Interim Captain Representative

5.****Nomination of Captain Representative for Term Ending 2/28/19

6.****Old Business

7.****New Business

Refreshments will be provided

Nic Harwood, Acting Chairman
Jamie Call, Secretary-Treasurer
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Just a reminder. C-171 Meeting tomorrow. Please attend if possible as the interim Captain rep will be chosen by those in attendance. More below.

Fellow Pilots,

As you know, our upcoming Council meeting will be held on July 7 during which:

1.*******An interim Captain representative will be elected and

2.*******Nominations will close for the election of a permanent Captain representative.

Let me clarify that these are two separate processes with their own separate nomination and balloting procedures.

As explained in my update of 6/6/16, which you can read by clicking*here, the nomination ballots that pilots have been receiving in the mail are only to nominate candidates for the PERMANENT Captain representative position.

The interim Captain representative will be nominated and elected at the meeting and only by Active Council 171 Members in good standing who are present at the meeting. This is done via secret ballot using separate ballots. Proxies are*not*allowed in accordance with Article III.3.E of the ALPA Constitution and By-Laws.

The voting round for the permanent Captain Representative will begin once nomination results have been received and certified by ALPA National.

I have received some requests for information on how to obtain duplicate ballots. This can be done either by emailing [email protected], by clicking*here*or by calling the Balloting Department on 1-888-359-2572 x 1256

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely, Nic*

Brad Hutchens is the interim Captain representative.*

Hutchens 51
Cummins 16
Edwards. 6

Moving forward to appear on the electronic ballot for the permanent Captain representative position:

Hutchens/Cummins

Hutchens 110
Cummins. 68
Edwards. 34

That's great!!!!