30west

I believe UAL was the best at taking other pilots. Pilots from defunct ALPA carriers went into a special interview pile seperate from others. They have numerous pilots from Eastern, Pan Am, and other carriers. Though most are retired or are nearing it.

ryane946

Well said!

To the US Air guys in support of this, just remember, the entire industry will be pulled down by this action. I hope you sleep well tonight.

A320fumes

Good luck East!

alwaysflying

To All other Alpa pilots and Air Carriers:

I would like to thank you for your alpa dollars, as they are assisting the US Airways East and West pilots to fight each another. Prater is enjoying wasting your money away not non sense.

To all Major Air Carriers:

I want to apologize to you for not following through and trying to raise the bar on wages and work rules, since the US Airways contract will not be settled till sometime after 2010. I guess UAL, CAL and others will have to lead, since US Airways pilots are not able to achieve anything other than discontent. I will apologize now to all these carriers if the fight to get anything back from management is hindered due to the US Airways contracts, since we are two of the lowest contracts.

Again accept my apology.

USAPA

alwaysflying

As far as a strike and pilots crossing the picket line in not union members.

It will probably be said that these folks are scabs. But since a portion of the East pilots only care about what benefits the East and could care-a-less about the West, I would not call a West guy a scab if this happened. Why should a West pilot support and East pilot, when an East pilot will not support a West.

To say the least, the future is going to be interesting.

Jettubby

Read and educate yourself instead of listening to the unintelligent slander here.

http://usairlinepilots.org/

The second letter is especially interesting: http://usairlinepilots.org/letters.htm

flyjets

Fellow Pilots

I don't think you really have a good handle on what's going on here.

There have been so many countless failures of ALPA national as a Union/Association and as a industry leader that it has started to force this turn of events.

The East Pilots of which I am one don't want to take anything at all from the West Pilots. We just feel that we can represent the working Pilots of US Airways much better then ALPA National has.

Having gone threw numerous Mergers and being put on the Bottom and then put others on the Bottom I know first hand the failures of Association that doesn't represent it's constituents. The AFA Union is more impressive then ALPA in doing business correctly. The Maritime industry could teach ALPA many things on how to shape an industry.

ALPA sat by and now the beginning of the end might be near who knows. But I can assure you I will treat every Pilot fair because It's the right thing to do!

CaptX

ClipperJet

I actually went and read the website. Having no dog in this fight, I think I'm pretty unbiased. At least I'm trying to be.

A pretty strong indictment of ALPA. Can't say how much is true, since I'm not in ALPA, but ALPA is slammed pretty hard.

There is absolutely no recognition that USAir was in serious financial straights when the East-West merger occurred. They talk only of the problems at AWA, with no acknowledgement of an impending bankruptcy at USAir.

There was also little mention of how the West pilots would be represented. In the FAQ, here's what USAPA says they would do for you. You can decide for yourself if this sounds good or bad:

26. What can USAPA do for a West pilot that's better?

"More democratic, Direct election of officers, More control over financial matters, and pilot ratification of all contracts and side letters is required; more thorough and timely communication, Constitution with a pilot Bill of Rights, that mandates professional negotiators, better, more efficient services provided, representative from your seniority group, a merger policy that preserves each pilot’s un-merged career expectations. Simplified committee structure. No more gravy train for Reps; pay no more than what seniority can hold, union uses same hotels as crews, no more limos & resort hotels. No roll call voting. Meetings held at bases, in the terminal, so it is easy for pilots to attend. As soon as possible, web cams and conference calls for virtual attendance and later viewing. Negotiating/merger committees cannot TA. And most importantly, an independent, carrier-specific union with only the interests of US Airways pilots in mind. Finally, bearing in mind that the Nicolau award could be precedence setting, and based upon that precedence West pilots will be severely impacted in the next merger (which is likely coming within a year), the fact that USAPA is constitutionally committed to using its full resources to obtain seniority integration on a date of hire basis and has a merger policy that preserves each pilot’s un-merged career expectations, is good for a West pilot"

The bold is mine. The first part sounds more anti-ALPA than a "West specific" benefit. It sounds like USAPA is very highly (but maybe not exclusively) focused on getting a date of hire seniority system. Probably not a big surprise.

alwaysflying

jettubby:

First I am educated, and not a blind follower. I review all the facts and base my decision on those facts.

I have read these letters. Let me say, never has an arbitrator award been thrown out in court, and that is where USAPA will have to fight it. Courts have upheld these ruling because they are binding and are like law. Parties know this going into the process. To my knowledge, no one in the East can prove fraud in the process. If they could they would have already provided the evidence and this process would not be taking place, I can assure you.

I would not be surprised to see USAPA, if it succeeds in representing the pilots of US Airways, tied up in legal litigation for years to come. This is where a great portion of the union dollars will go. USAPA will have to hire attorneys to fight all the lawsuits its gets from other pilots. In addition, USAPA probably will not have dues coming from a portion of the US Airways pilots.

Anyone can say anything in a letter. A person's actions speak louder than words. I have not seen anything in an East Pilot's actions to indicate anything other than a portion of pilots just wanting the West pilots to disappear and they take all the flying. The East pilots were like this during the United BUYOUT of US Airways (entitled to every large aircraft and captain seat) and there entitlement attitude has not changed.

Please let me say I feel bad they went through BK, lost their pensions, pay and workrules. But so did alot of other carriers.

chuck h

Is it just me or are two captains in that photo wearing F/O hats? Looks like a Hollywood movie, who's stripes and hats go where? DUH!!