US Air firing pilot who's gun discharged

[Erlanger]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/17/pilot.gun/index.html

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Good think he has a strong union with lots of money to back him up. OOps. Guess he is screwed.

 

[Sedona16]

Was this guy an original Airways guy? Lemme guess, USAPA doesnt have any money yet or the wherewithal to defend this guy like ALPA would have? The timing of this not so good for this guy.

 

[Erlanger]

Good think he has a strong union with lots of money to back him up. OOps. Guess he is screwed.

Interesting that this was announced after the vote. US Air probably figured it has a better chance of successfully firing him now.

 

[Bdfg1]

This pilot was fired days ago while under ALPA. ALPA made the decision to not defend him.

 

[Caspian27]

Thoughts about the ALPA/USAPA vote aside...this sounds like an unfair termination to me.

 

[N1atEcon]

That is complete BS. This guy is doing a service to our industry and the country and these Jacka$$es are going to fire him. Nice managment! Your union should run an add in The WSJ about what these guys do and how he was treated.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Your union should run an add in The WSJ about what these guys do and how he was treated.

They can't afford bagels tomorrow morning in the crew room, how are they going to afford an ad in the WSJ?

 

[PositiveRate]

...this sounds like an unfair termination to me.

What would have been a 'fair' course of action for the company to take?

 

[Caspian27]

What would have been a 'fair' course of action for the company to take?

Hey PR, not knowing the details other than the fact that the guys gun accidentally went off...I blame the stupid FFDO procedures requiring the gun to be locked and unlocked every single flight.

I know he's an Eastie, and I'm fully on the West's side in this whole Nic debacle...but still I think termination is a bit extreme. If it had been an HP pilot would your opinion be different?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I bet their SOPs do not say they should take their gun off and stow it while on SHORT FINAL. If he was not following the guidelines, then there is nobody to back him. One of my problems with the FFDO program.

 

[Caspian27]

I bet their SOPs do not say they should take their gun off and stow it while on SHORT FINAL. If he was not following the guidelines, then there is nobody to back him. One of my problems with the FFDO program.

Good point there...

 

[PCL_128]

Your union should run an add in The WSJ about what these guys do and how he was treated.

Yeah, uSAPa will get right on assessing the membership a few hundred bucks a piece so they can afford that.........right after they assess everybody a few hundred bucks so they can afford officer elections.

 

[PositiveRate]

If it had been an HP pilot would your opinion be different?

I actually expressed no opinion. I asked a question. If you shoot a hole in a company aircraft, you're going to get to talk to HR. That meeting is where the value of ALPA is, but many assume they'll never find themselves in such a situation. From what I hear, there is pretty strict protocal for handling the weapon in flight and maybe things weren't up to SOPs at the time of the 'incident'. I will, however, call BS that ALPA denied to defend him. I'd like to see proof on that as I doubt it was the case.

If you get sick, hurt or diagnosed, have something going on at home that makes you unfit to fly, get a number from ATC, have a runway incursion, etc etc....there were immediate avenues for help. We're on our own now.

 

[SkiFishFly]

And the Terrorists out there are all saying - Thank You, US Air Management. We truly appreciate how you are discouraging your pilots from participating in the FFDO program...