USAPA/ALPA thread of the week 5/31-6/6

[nycbusdriver]

By comparison to the expected response, not so much. If you're gonna be fool enough to throw the first punch, it better be your best. This is more like a slap.

By the way, what were the voting results on the referrendum to attack fellow pilots just so you can extort some respect that is unacheivable otherwise? :down:

Ho hum.

"But I'm bidin' my time;
'cause that's the kinda guy i'm
While other folks grow dizzy
I keep busy
Bidin' my time.

Next year, next year,
Somethin's bound to happen;
This year, this year,
I'll just keep on nappin'

And bidin' my time
'cause that's the kinda guy i'm.
There's no regrettin'
When I'm settin'
Bidin' my time."

----thanks, George and Ira

Where's that popcorn?

 

[elixir]

I had a little popcorn yesterday with the CP in PHL yesterday before a trip....

When I walked in, he was already in heated talks about denied jumpseats....you westies keep it up...

heads will roll, HE guarantees it.

 

[EastUS]

Ho hum.

"But I'm bidin' my time;
Where's that popcorn?

Although it's a step down from my standard, obnoxiously excessive emoticons.....I Got it covered....

 

[nycbusdriver]

I had a little popcorn yesterday with the CP in PHL yesterday before a trip....

When I walked in, he was already in heated talks about denied jumpseats....you westies keep it up...

heads will roll, HE guarantees it.

The jumpseat is a difficult situation. The captain has to have final authority.

Another facet of the problem is when jumpseat is granted and the pilots then berate the jumpseater for the duration of the flight. Next time, the jumpseater decides not to even ask. That's a de facto denied jumpseat. I know someone who commutes and will not ask for jumpseat on west metal because he was brow beaten for an entire flight. He will fly as a pass rider, or go on another carrier (whose service is quite friendly and accommodating he said.)

When the cockpit crew sets an abusive atmosphere toward a jumpseat rider, it says an awful lot, and nothing good, about the professionalism of that cockpit crew. Me? I wouldn't deny a jumpseat to anyone qualified to ride it. If a westie showed up, he/she would ride and I would make any shop talk off limits to everyone (including me) for the duration.

After all, I have USAviation.com to let off steam! :unsure:

 

[elixir]

Agreed..his exact words were these:

" I can and WILL help that Captain be a better Captain...believe me..."

(paraphrasing) If he can't control his/her emotions , or that of his FO, then perhaps HE is the problem...

I'm just reporting what was said....I agree the CA should have FULL authority over the J/S....and the company recognizes this, but they are going to actively pursue these "safety of flight" claims"being made.

 

[EastUS]

The jumpseat is a difficult situation. The captain has to have final authority.

When the cockpit crew sets an abusive atmosphere toward a jumpseat rider, it says an awful lot, and nothing good, about the professionalism of that cockpit crew. Me? I wouldn't deny a jumpseat to anyone qualified to ride it. If a westie showed up, he/she would ride and I would make any shop talk off limits to everyone (including me) for the duration.

Full agreement on my part. Jumpeats and any/all issues of professional courtesy, require professional conduct.

 

[checksix]

".....pattern of racketeering activity, and acts in violation of federal and North Carolina state law"

Pretty serious charges. Reading through the 52 page filing, it's apparent the charges are not only serious but also, it is going to require some pretty deep pockets.

I was amazed at the fact that these individuals did not realize their phone calls were traceable.

The entire action on the part of these pilots is unbelievable. I'd say AWAPPA can say bye bye to their legal fund - heck, they can probably say bye bye to AWAPPA and LEONIDAS in general after this exercise.

 

[GorgeousGeorge]

".....pattern of racketeering activity, and acts in violation of federal and North Carolina state law"

Pretty serious charges. Reading through the 52 page filing, it's apparent the charges are not only serious but also, it is going to require some pretty deep pockets.

I was amazed at the fact that these individuals did not realize their phone calls were traceable.

The entire action on the part of these pilots is unbelievable. I'd say AWAPPA can say bye bye to their legal fund - heck, they can probably say bye bye to AWAPPA and LEONIDAS in general after this exercise.

http://www.planebusiness.com/buzz/awausapa.pdf

 

[hp_fa]

I can hardly wait to see the Answers to the Complaint.

 

[elixir]

I can't believe the level these people may have stooped to....pretty damning telephony evidence....going to be expensive to defend.

To luv'n73's...I'd say this is a good first punch (your words)....there's probably more, and I wish there were no punches...with the industry in a spiral, we, as a company, can't afford these disruptive and devisive antics...you better talk to your boys out West before things get too wound up here.

 

[AAA73Pilot]

For those who chose to ignore the first posting on the closed thread. Here it is again. FYI:

May 30, 2008

To All US Airways Pilots:

On April 18, 2008, the National Mediation Board certified that a majority of US Airways pilots elected to be represented by the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA).

In the context of an inter-union election, those who supported the non-prevailing union can frequently harbor hard feelings and strong emotions. It is not uncommon for these disappointed voters to prefer the status of a “Non-Member†agency fee payer to that of a “Full†membership in the new union. Nor is it uncommon for such disappointed voters to attempt to achieve through litigation what they could not achieve through the democratic process. While USAPA seeks the full participation of the US Airways pilot group, it acknowledges the right of pilots to voice their dissent in a lawful manner, and in a way that respects the rights of all pilots.

What USAPA will not tolerate, however, are any illegal actions by individuals or minority groups which are designed to undercut the democratic process, waste financial contributions of dues-paying members, hamper services due all US Airways pilots and create a hostile work environment; all through criminal misconduct.

Since the date of its certification on April 18, 2008, USAPA and individual US Airways pilots have been subjected to a concerted campaign of intimidation and sabotage, which has included the following: 1) The jamming of USAPA’s toll-free telephone line in order to hamper union services and impose costs on the Union; 2) false communications to USAPA’s safety line – the equivalent of maliciously triggering a fire alarm; 3) communications to US Airways pilots asserting that their “safety†will be jeopardized if they pay dues to USAPA; 4) malicious efforts to interfere with USAPA’s electronic communications, 5) jumpseat boycotts designed to interfere with pilots’ right to earn a living, and 6) interference with U.S. Mail facilities. Our attorneys have advised us that many of these acts are in violation of federal and/or North Carolina state criminal law.

USAPA is in possession of substantial documentary evidence confirming the existence of a concerted sabotage campaign. Initial written warnings to those first identified as responsible have either been ignored or met with disingenuous denials of responsibility. And, despite these warnings, the acts of criminal sabotage have continued.

Consequently, in defense of its members, their rights to unhampered union services and a fiscal responsibility to dues contributions, USAPA has determined that it has no choice but to take legal action.

Pursuant to a unanimous vote of the USAPA Pilot Board of Directors, on Friday, May 30, 2008, USAPA filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina alleging violations of state and federal law.

Despite the provocation endured by USAPA’s representatives and members, the Union is acting in moderation. At this time, no criminal complaints have been filed, and the BPR has not sought Company disciplinary action against any pilot; a pungent move that the predecessor union did during the course of the recent election. The referenced lawsuit is a civil one, which seeks the reimbursement of USAPA’s damages and expenses along with injunctive relief enjoining the defendants from engaging in future criminal misconduct. Individual defendants may avoid further involvement in this litigation by paying their fair share of damages and expenses and refraining from further unlawful activity.

USAPA Leadership is under no illusion concerning the issues emanating from the recent NMB election and takes very seriously its responsibility to represent all US Airways pilots. Wherever you stand on the issues, we believe that the overwhelming majority of pilots feel that all pilots from the most senior to the most junior should be able to work in a hostility-free environment and have access to the services the union provides.

USAPA is committed to guarantee these basic principles to all US Airways pilots.

Sincerely,

President

 

[nycbusdriver]

We can thank Holly at Planebusiness.com for putting the .pdf of the lawsuit on their server.

I haven't paid any attention to that site in well over 5 years because I thought she was a flake.

I read the blog she posted today, and my opinion hasn't changed. Still pretty clueless.

I suppose virtually anybody can develop a site to profitability based on knowing nothing (look at Drudge, as a fine example.) Of course, present company is excepted.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I can hardly wait to see the Answers to the Complaint.

Uh, don't think they'll respond with "Can you hear me now..."

Seriously, this whole thing is sad. How childish, what a waste of time!! I can't believe people given the enormous responsibility of piloting an aircraft can show such a serious lack of judgement. I am gonna say it: Something isn't right with these people. Hope they end up in jail with Cloyd and Hughes.

Later,
Eye

 

[NiceLandingCaptain]

Uh, don't think they'll respond with "Can you hear me now..."

Seriously, this whole thing is sad. How childish, what a waste of time!! I can't believe people given the enormous responsibility of piloting an aircraft can show such as serious lack of judgement. I am gonna say it: Something isn't right with these people. Hope they end up in jail with Cloyd and Hughes.

Later,
Eye

Its a civil lawsuit. What fusapa appears to be after is a "cease and desist order." Oh yea - and money. Money, money, money. So nobody's going to jail, regardless of the outcome.

And at first blush, the vast majority of the claims are leaning strongly towards being frivilous, with no proof what-so-ever. Hell, they don't even have their defendants list put together yet.

If nothing else, the baby union will spend more money with this lawsuit than they can ever expect to recover. And they will most likely aide the west in steeling our resolve, and at the same time could look like fools to those eastyz who still have a head on their shoulders.


INTEGRITY MATTERS

NLC

 

[NiceLandingCaptain]

Uh, don't think they'll respond with "Can you hear me now..."

Seriously, this whole thing is sad. How childish, what a waste of time!! I can't believe people given the enormous responsibility of piloting an aircraft can show such as serious lack of judgement. I am gonna say it: Something isn't right with these people. Hope they end up in jail with Cloyd and Hughes.

Later,
Eye

Its a civil lawsuit. What fusapa appears to be after is a "cease and desist order." Oh yea - and money. Money, money, money. So nobody's going to jail, regardless of the outcome.

And at first blush, the vast majority of the claims are leaning strongly towards being frivilous, with no proof what-so-ever. Hell, they don't even have their defendants list put together yet.

If nothing else, the baby union will spend more money with this lawsuit than they can ever expect to recover. And they will most likely aide the west in steeling our resolve, and at the same time could look like fools to those eastyz who still have a head on their shoulders.


INTEGRITY MATTERS

NLC