Originally Posted by Beechlover

I've been in this industry now for 3 years. Been reading the boards quite a bit in that time as well. To be honest.., based on what I've seen, and read, and heard, I feel that this "solidarity" so many speak of is a myth, or at the very least a reality I will never see in this industry based on the apathy and indifference that exist. That and the "I got mine crowd" seem to me to be the biggest impediment to bringing any solidarity to this profession. We need a fundemental paradigm shift before any EFFECTIVE change will occur. Not likely to occur in my opinion. At this point in my career, my priorities are my health, my family, my career.

At no point in any of these threads have I felt the true spirit of solidarity that compelled me to change my actions with regards to doing my job or make a self sacrifice (read: fall on my own sword) so that those higher in seniority could continue to enjoy job security, prestige and, great pay. Sorry that's how I see it.

With regard to the E-190, do you seriously think that ANY pilot who cares about their family, their livelyhood, and being out on the street in THIS economy, Is gonna ACTUALLY refuse to fly it??? I don't know what world these folks live in, but I tend to focus on the real world.

Employment at the "Legacy Carriers" is becoming less and less attractive to me these days. Don't think I'm gonna be heading in that direction. Threats are a little school yard don't ya think?

Pilots don't get to choose what aircraft their airlines fly, MANAGEMENT AND THE MARKETS make those decisions. THE ONLY thing we AS pilots have control over is the speed and altitude we chose to go from A to B. Not crazy about every decision thats been made by this airline's management, but that's life in the 121 world.

If or when it comes my time to fly the E 190, don't expect me to fall on my own sword. That is unless we all collectively intend to provide us (pilots who refuse to fly it) with either the unemployment income or another job..., any takers.., didn't think so.., so much for "solidarity."

I'm gonna continue to do my job as I would expect any professional pilot to do. If it makes you all happy, when or if our union ever gets it's collective self together, we'll see about better pay. Don't hold your breath. So there it is.., do with this what you will. Don't get me wrong, I love my profession, myjob and the folks I fly with, hell I even like who I fly for (RAH).

Imagine that, a pilot who actually enjoys working for the airline he flys for, what a concept.

Originally Posted by Beechlover

THE ONLY thing we AS pilots have control over is the speed and altitude we chose to go from A to B. Not crazy about every decision thats been made by this airline's management, but that's life in the 121 world.

Originally Posted by MD80

Don't put this on Republic. NWA/Delta ALPA changed your contract scope language to leave Midwest and Midwest pilots out to dry.


You built this bed... sleep in it!

Originally Posted by captscott26

There will always be pilots at the bottom of the chain willing to fly anything with jets for little money no matter who it hurts....always.

Originally Posted by captscott26

Unfortunately, and I hate to say this, but you are right. The root cause of this mess is the scope clause that allowed it. There will always be pilots at the bottom of the chain willing to fly anything with jets for little money no matter who it hurts....always. WE at the majors curse these pilots for what they are doing, but the reality is WE would have done the same thing as a young pilot eager to break into the industry. To call these guys scabs is not only incorrect by definition of the word but also an insult to the thousands of pilots that came up through the same route you now criticize. How quickly some of you forget what YOU did to earn your wings. How much did YOU make before you got to the majors? The point of my little rant is this....

Those of us at the majors must use this travesty as a guiding light for our next contracts. Most of us are in the process of negotiations or will be very soon. We must, at this level, put a stop to this once and for all. If we have rock solid scope language at the majors level there will not be the opportunity for the regionals to come in with these "regional jets" and take our flying. It is OUR responsibility to prevent it, and when we do not, the blame rests ONLY on us for allowing it.

Originally Posted by captscott26

Unfortunately, and I hate to say this, but you are right. The root cause of this mess is the scope clause that allowed it. There will always be pilots at the bottom of the chain willing to fly anything with jets for little money no matter who it hurts....always. WE at the majors curse these pilots for what they are doing, but the reality is WE would have done the same thing as a young pilot eager to break into the industry. To call these guys scabs is not only incorrect by definition of the word but also an insult to the thousands of pilots that came up through the same route you now criticize. How quickly some of you forget what YOU did to earn your wings. How much did YOU make before you got to the majors? The point of my little rant is this....

Those of us at the majors must use this travesty as a guiding light for our next contracts. Most of us are in the process of negotiations or will be very soon. We must, at this level, put a stop to this once and for all. If we have rock solid scope language at the majors level there will not be the opportunity for the regionals to come in with these "regional jets" and take our flying. It is OUR responsibility to prevent it, and when we do not, the blame rests ONLY on us for allowing it.

Originally Posted by RAHPilot5

Peter - I'm afraid I have some very bad news, your wife's gonna be a vegetable. You're gonna have to bathe her, feed her, and care for her for the rest of your life.
Guy - OH MY GOD!
Peter - No no no, I'm just kiddin. She's dead.

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck

I don't think it's fair to put this on the pilots at RAH. We always find these things out at the same time as everyone else through the same means. We've yet to have any communication from the company on this. We'll deal with it on our end but unfortunately that takes time(ie contract neg).

I hope like hell they find some way to get around the 99 seat rule. I'd like to see them argue that the aircraft can hold 100 seats and thus is considered a mainline aircraft(which is what the DOT considers it). You can pull a seat but it's still a 100 seat aircraft.

I know that midwest pays the fuel bills so I hope taxi times and procedures are adjusted accordingly. A few returns to gate due to dual engine taxi should help.