From the American Eagle MEC Hotline
1.Eagle Captain Reinstated by Arbitrator
On January 2nd, 2006 one of Eagle’s professional flight crews encountered severe icing while climbing out of San Louis Obispo airport. While in the process of deicing an aircraft with a deferred auto deice system, the aircraft unexpectedly stalled at a higher speed than expected. The experience and composure of these two airmen saved a complete hull loss and the lives of all aboard.
Unfortunately, despite the FAA’s vindication of these two airmen, the company chose to terminate both pilots. We are pleased to announce that the Arbitrator has found that the company’s punitive actions were completely unwarranted. He has therefore put the Captain back to work with full restoration of back pay for all loss of income. Unfortunately, when threatened with termination, the First Officer resigned his position to protect his aviation career and because he was probationary at the time, did not have access to the grievance process for terminations.
This is the third time in as many years that the company has improperly terminated pilots only to have their jobs restored by an Arbitrator with back pay. There can be no doubt that the company’s archaic mindset of achieving compliance through punishment rather than education has had a dramatic negative effect on the pilots of American Eagle and their willingness to help the corporation.
Recently, ALPA proposed that the company change its practice and move to a system of education and have thus far received a receptive response. We will continue to push forward and hope that logic will prevail over habit.
1.Eagle Captain Reinstated by Arbitrator
On January 2nd, 2006 one of Eagle’s professional flight crews encountered severe icing while climbing out of San Louis Obispo airport. While in the process of deicing an aircraft with a deferred auto deice system, the aircraft unexpectedly stalled at a higher speed than expected. The experience and composure of these two airmen saved a complete hull loss and the lives of all aboard.
Unfortunately, despite the FAA’s vindication of these two airmen, the company chose to terminate both pilots. We are pleased to announce that the Arbitrator has found that the company’s punitive actions were completely unwarranted. He has therefore put the Captain back to work with full restoration of back pay for all loss of income. Unfortunately, when threatened with termination, the First Officer resigned his position to protect his aviation career and because he was probationary at the time, did not have access to the grievance process for terminations.
This is the third time in as many years that the company has improperly terminated pilots only to have their jobs restored by an Arbitrator with back pay. There can be no doubt that the company’s archaic mindset of achieving compliance through punishment rather than education has had a dramatic negative effect on the pilots of American Eagle and their willingness to help the corporation.
Recently, ALPA proposed that the company change its practice and move to a system of education and have thus far received a receptive response. We will continue to push forward and hope that logic will prevail over habit.
