VOYAGER 14

Hey, these Ipads have an internal GPS tracking device right ? Meaning.....the company have the right to know their location at any giving time......right ? Humm

gettinbumped

Right... Which means that anyone who ever turns the thing ON when not on paid company time is not thinking clearly

SlickMachine

I expect reimbursement for my electric bill since we will be expected to show up with them charged. I would be less antagonistic and uncooperative if I had a descent contract and or better management.

UalHvy

You just don't seem to get it. I believe that you have succumbed to the "shiny toy syndrome."

The IPad is there to save the company money. It is NOT for your personal enjoyment. You will be responsible for your shiny new toy. Guess what? You will NOT be able to use it. The IPads purchased will not let you surf the net, watch porn or Facetime naked with your significant other.

Even if it were not blocked off and you were able to use it for personal reasons....why would you? The company can track you at anytime that it is turned on. The company can also meet you on the jetway and demand that you hand it over after a flight. Think that won't happen? If so, you are in need of some mentoring from someone that has been paying attention.
I suggest that you start attending union meetings and find out just what is going on. Maybe then you will be less willing to take on extra responsibilities while management stalls us on the negotiations.

Maybe when the company actually decides to negotiate an industry leading contract the IPad would be acceptable. You will be lugging it around...digging it out for security...and guess what...if the company decides to contact you on a layover and you turn it on....they will KNOW that you got the message. If you drop it or lose it, you will be responsible for it. Do you REALLY want the "shiny new toy?"

wrxpilot

Not sure what the SJS moniker is about, since I fly a small 25 year old turboprop (Brasilia), which is listed next to my profile. I've already done the "SJS" thing, and have a PIC type rating in a j-j-j-jettt! I don't care what I'm flying, as long as I'm getting a paycheck.

Apparently you're confusing the purpose of the iPad and what it will do. It is a tool to replace charts and manuals, and goes a long way towards organizing information in a way that is very intuitive and useful to a pilot. I spent several years flying a plane that was totally paperless, which included the use of iPads. It is a win win situation, and I can see no reason why anybody would complain about it.

As far as the company using it to track you, that is extremely paranoid, but I'm sure you have your reasons. Anyway, the fix is simple... Just shut it down when you're done with your flight.

Not sure why you mentioned "career wrecking RJs", but you're preaching to the choir. Get rid of every damn one of 'em. Regionals should just be flying small turboprops in my opinion... The last thing I plan on doing is spending my career at a regional airline, and it would be nice if the majors became a place to go to again.

wrxpilot

You don't need to pull the iPad out for security, and I would be very surprised if your company does not issue some type of protective case for it.

APC225

Mine will be turned ON during preflight, OFF during postflight, and stored at the airport between trips.

It will never be ON in the hotel and it will never be at my home.

Notes:

OFF isn't just closing the magnetic top. Press and hold the sleep/wake button until the slider appears, then slide to OFF. Otherwise, it can track you.

Doesn't have to be taken out at security. No keyboard or platters.

Protective case is included, with UAL logo on it.

Union should direct that the cockpit A/C outlet be used to recharge it, not done in hotel or home. It's their device, not ours.

If you find that you like the iPad for personal use, buy one. Steve Jobs needs the money for retirement. There are way too many issues with using a company computer for personal stuff.

gettinbumped

The SJS Moniker was thrown in there because your first post indicated that not being excited about the Shiny New Toy means that we are whining sniveling idiots. Shiny New Toy Syndrome goes hand in hand with Shiny New Jet Syndrome.

Just because one flies the Bro doesn't mean one don't have SJS. You next post seems to indicate that you "get it", so I will retract the SJS.

Here's the thing though... As an EMB-120 FO, who is new to the airline side of the industry (sounds like you flew corporate), you should be careful making statements about what kind of attitudes the guys with the experience should have. Since there isn't a pilot on the property right now with less than about 12 years, everyone that was leaving a comment has experience. I wouldn't go over to the corporate section and start spouting off to those folks about what their attitude should be, as I have very limited corporate experience. I figure they know their issues best.

You think we are paranoid? Buddy... you have no idea. The company was videoing/recording our conversations in ops for years before we found out. Our Management is reading this conversation (Hi guys!!!). And trust me, they WILL use the iPads to track our movements, compare it to sick list usage etc. If you work for United, and you AREN'T paranoid, you are stupid.

Another correction to your assessment. The iPad is nothing but an inconvenience for me without Wifi installed in the airplane. Right now, with Shipsets, I have nothing that I need to carry. Now I've got to carry another iPad. I have my own, which I will continue to use, so now I'm going to be dragging around 2 of them. And what information does it give me that I don't already have? Zero. What happens if I lose it? Break it? You think the company is going to pat me on the head and say "That's ok, we'll just get you another one?" HELL no they won't. It will come out of my paycheck! Paperless is all fine and good, but how hard is it for me to open up a book and find a chart? Like I said in the first post, if they put Wifi in all the jets, then that is a completely different story. If I had access to real time weather, moving map taxi charts, etc. etc., then THAT would make it a very valuable resource. But we don't, and apparently aren't going to considering they just announced they are going to spend $500 million in cabin upgrades, and WIFI on the UAL airplanes that don't have it wasn't in the announcement.

Right about now you are rolling your eyes and thinking you know how I should feel. Put another 20 years in and then come talk to me. You'll see. In the meantime, you can keep your snotty comments to the regional board. They might go over better there.

Lambourne

That is a ridiculous statement. You want to charge it for free? Show up to ops 1 hours before check-in and plug it in to the UA outlet.

Also, I think your wish for a descent contract has been granted. Our wages are a steep descent from previous contract. Now if wanted DECENT contract that is another thing.

Let's hope you get the ipad with a post content and word usage checker app.

Lambourne

You are on CCTV in almost every location you visit. The company has a right to video survey the area if they want, as it is their property. How many guys complained about lack of video in the hallways in ORD where stuff was pilfered from luggage. The company installs video and the same clowns claim they are being put under undue scrutiny.

Here is a novel idea. Don't do anything illegal at work and you won't have to worry about videos.

. The tracking mode of the ipad is a switch position. Turn it off viola you are free to call in sick from Siam. Of course why you would take your company ipad to Siam is up to you. Where are the rules that say you have to be home to call in sick? How many guys do you know that have been fired for calling sick from somewhere other than home???

So you would rather carry a fifty pound flight bag, rather than 2 pounds of ipads? I have heard the Shipsets were not great money savers. They could easily tell you that you have to start schleping that anchor around again. Your math is not really adding up but that appears to be the case in the rest of you post also.

If you believe the TK rumor mill the wifi is coming to all the airplanes. The addition of live weather will be available with this. But again we can't get to that step until we adopt the ipad's. So it is the chicken or the egg.

What happened if you lost your old FOM? They charged you for it, right? Here is something that may not be of some use to you. Now is the time for you to become a responsible adult. You are entrusted with several million dollars worth of airplanes and assets each time you take off. Now you are being given a $400 ipad, try to use some of that skill and cunning that has kept the airplane out of the weeds and prevent breaking your ipad. If you have ONE now then you are obviously adept at keeping it from being broken.

Don't be such a Richard Cranium.