Army of one!! YEAH!!

[FEDUPPILOT]

I am an Army of One (or 2, or 300, ...)


I am an army of One - A Captain in the Continental
Airlines army.
For years I was a loyal soldier in Gordon's army. Now I
fight my own war.
I used to feel valued and respected. Now I know I am mere
fodder.
They (CAL) used to exhibit labor leadership. Now they
exploit legal loopholes.
They used to enjoy my maximum. Now they will suffer my
minimum.
I am an army of One.

I used to save CAL a thousand pounds of fuel per leg;
finding the best FL, getting direct routing, throttling
back when on-time was made, skimping during ground ops,
adjusting for winds, being smart and giving the company
every effort I could conjure. Now, it's "burn baby,
burn".
I used to call maintenance while airborne, so the part
would be ready at the gate. Now, they'll find the write-
up when they look in the book.
I used to try to fix problems in the system, now I sit
and watch as the miscues pile up.
I used to fly sick. Now I use my sick days, on short
notice, on the worst day of the month.
I am an army of One.

I used to start the APU at the last possible moment. Now
my customers enjoy extreme comfort.
I used to let the price of fuel at out-stations affect my
fuel orders. I still do.
I used to cover mistakes by operations. Now I watch them
unfold.
I used to hustle to ensure an on-time arrival, to make us
the best. Now I do it for the rampers and agents who
need the bonus money….but this too may change.
I used to call dispatch for rerouting, to head off ground
delays for bad weather. Now I collect overs, number 35
in line for takeoff.

I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that misguided
leadership of indifference and disrespect has a cost. It's about character, not contracts. It's about leading
by taking care of your people instead of leadership by
bean counters (an oxymoron). With acts of omission, not
commission, I am a one-man wrecking crew - an army of
One. My mission used to be to make CAL rich. Now it's
to make CAL pay.

When they furlough more pilots than the rest, pilots that
cost them 60 cents on the dollar - I will make them
pay.
When they under-staff bases and over-work reserves to
keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I
will make them pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding system
wide, while jets are parked in the desert - I will make
them pay.
When they force pilots, who have waited 12 years to
become captains, to be FOs again - I will make them
pay.
When they ask CAL pilots to show leadership at Express,
and then deny them longevity - I will make them pay.

When they recall F/As for the summer, just to furlough
them again in the fall like migrant workers - I will
make them pay.
When they constantly violate the letter and spirit of our
contract - a contract that's a bargain by any measure,
and force us to fight lengthy grievances - I will make
them pay.

My negotiating committee speaks for me, but I act on my
own. I am a walking nightmare to the bean counters that
made me. Are you listening? This mercenary has a lot of
years left with this company; how long can you afford
to keep me bitter? I'm not looking for clauses in a
contract, I'm looking for a culture of commitment and
caring. When I see it, I'll be a soldier for CAL again.
Until then, I am an Army of One…And I'm not alone!

 

[avbug]

Go get em, tough guy (er, oh, exhalted one).

When you're done playing army, there are 10.000 other pilots who are ready to take your place and try to do their job without whining.

Have a ball.

 

[Simon Says]

Very nicely said FEDUP, Treat your employees with respect and your employees will give 100%. There are ways besides money to influence an employees behavior.

 

[tbkane]

As a furloughed pilot I applaud that you are concerned. I feel we are forgotten more and more often. I asked a over 60 fe the other day if we are still furloughing, and he said that he had no clue we had anyone on furlough. I proceeded to introduce myself!

 

[Timebuilder]

I'm reminded of our discussion of union shops vs non-union shops a while back.

A Philly TV station has never had a union. Why? Overall, they treat their employees better than most other stations in the country. They pay them well, give great benefits, etc. In 35 years, less than 15 reporters have left to work elsewhere.

Across the street at the NBC affiliate, the there is a revolving door to the news studio. Even female and minority hires leave that station!

In labor relations, managment truly reaps what it sows. I'm going to pass that post on (without ANY references to its source) to a CAL captain I know. It would probably help matters if management knew how they can be killed with a thousand cuts.

 

[bobbysamd]

Management v. labor

Indeed, management reaps what it sows. My father, of blessed memory, operated a small corporation. The work was dirty, hazardous and dangerous. A union organized his workers. However, he treated his workers far better than the union wanted, and they decertified the union. He was rewarded with loyalty. He had people who worked for him for 30 years, doing very tough work.

Aviation has always been a buyer's market. Airlines have always been able to find pilots, so management doesn't have to sow much. Go ask E.L. Cord, Ted Baker, Dick Ferris and Frank Lorenzo. Pilots need a voice. It's too bad that organized labor lost so much of its clout during the 1980s. Airline deregulation is also a factor. Start-ups hired at far below scale, and that very much corroded ALPA's clout.

 

[Andy Neill]

If I may paraphrase FEDUPPILOT,

"I used to be part of the solution. Now I am part of the problem."

 

[alimaui]

If I may paraphrase FEDUPPILOT,

"I used to be part of the solution. Now I am part of the problem."

May I paraphrase your comment?

"I have no idea what in the world he is talking about."

 

[avbug]

I believe what Andy said is quite clear.

If one is going to accept payment for one's services, then one should give 100%.

I have made some piss poor wages in the industry. I have scraped by on far less than next to nothing. However, at no time have I said that because the wages were low, I would do less than my job, be less than professional, give less than my very best.

Allowing the quality of service to go downhill is a sad, and pathetic way to make a point come across. Finding ways to cost the company money is inappropriate.

Andy's statement, and my own, should be clear here. Increasing the level of professionalism is part of the soloution. Falling back to the percieved level of professionalism of the management against one kicks, is doing nothing more than becoming part of the problem. It is nonsensical, much like the old farm addage; "The chicken coop burned down, so I dehorned all the cows."

 

[Brett Hull]

Call me crazy, but if the company keeps losing money, won't that lead to more furloughes? USAir comes to mind.

 

[list2002]

However, at no time have I said that because the wages were low, I would do less than my job, be less than professional, give less than my very best.

I didn't hear any mention of money or wages specifically.

 

[list2002]

It seemed more centered around lack of respect.

 

[avbug]

Ah, yes. The respect issue. Look at me. Don't I look cute in my bars and hat? Respect. Hmmm.

An excellent reason for making a conscious effort at substandard service to one's employer. Sign me up for that army of one. I can't hardly wait to perform substandard work right away.

In fact, I'll start now. Where do we begin?

 

[RichardFitzwell]

Ah, yes. The respect issue. Look at me. Don't I look cute in my bars and hat? Respect. Hmmm.

An excellent reason for making a conscious effort at substandard service to one's employer. Sign me up for that army of one. I can't hardly wait to perform substandard work right away.

In fact, I'll start now. Where do we begin?

avbug,

You sound more than eager to cross a picket line - should it come to that.

People that disrupt legal job actions and justify it with statements like yours scare me...

"When you're done playing army, there are 10.000 other pilots who are ready to take your place and try to do their job without whining." - avbug

You left out the part about, "doing whatever is necessary to feed your family." (I will refrain from throwing out the term for crusting over a wound.)

 

[avbug]

There is no pride in underachievement.

There has been no talk of picketing. That's an entirely different subject. Refusing to do one's job because of unacceptable conditions or an intollerable situation, in a legal and organized manner is one thing. Getting one's licks in by insisting on doing a half-baked job is another matter entirely.

Underachievement is nothing to be proud about...if anything it can only be a source of shame.

Doing whatever is necessary to feed the family is fine; there is no law against doing it well. Advocating substandard performance is not only improper, it is unprofessional. One should give one's all in receipt for an agreed wage. If one feels disrespected or that the wage is inappropriate, protest it and change it openly through accepted channels, shut up and keep quiet, or find another job.

How can one expect respect, if one advocates unprofessionalism in one's calling? The hyporcacy alone demands that no respect be given; the act of seeking recognition or change through underachievement speaks to petty slothfulness and not to professionalism.

What legal job actions have I disrupted? Cite a single one.

You SHOULD leave out the term for a crusted wound, as it has no place in this conversation.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

I do believe I hit a nerve with you, Mr. bug. Something in your past maybe??

I use "Underachiever...and proud of it" in my signature sarcastically. I borrowed it from it's very profound author - Bart Simpson. (avbug, you won't see the humor in that) As you may or may not realize, it takes a lot of hard work and motivation to succeed in aviation. It also takes the determination and willingness to fight for what you feel is fair.

CAL is starting contract negotiations next month (the reason for this post). The originial author certainly has the right to do what he/she feels is necessary to get management's attention and to point out the slogan "Working Together" means nothing without action.

When it is time for Mr. bug to get a raise does he say to his boss, "Whatever amount is fine. And by-the-way, I would like to work a little more for less $$?" I doubt it.

Without going into one of those long, boring debates, please don't undermined their efforts. Don't be too eager to take their place and do their job without whining.

 

[enigma]

avbug,

You sound more than eager to cross a picket line - should it come to that.

People that disrupt legal job actions and justify it with statements like yours scare me...

"When you're done playing army, there are 10.000 other pilots who are ready to take your place and try to do their job without whining." - avbug

You left out the part about, "doing whatever is necessary to feed your family." (I will refrain from throwing out the term for crusting over a wound.)

Richard, maybe you know something I don't, but I didn't take avbugs comments to imply anything like crossing a picketline. I think that he was just stating his belief (like my own) that there are others willing to take your job if you no longer want it.

With that said, I do empathize with the CAL Captain. It sometimes just drives one crazy to be loyal, yet see no loyalty come back at you. However, I can't agree with him. To become an army of one means that you have lowered yourself to their level. My momma told me not to do that.

regards

BTW, you're right, SCAB is not a word to throw around. If it fits, then so be it. But don't infer anything that you can't substantiate.

 

[charley varrick]

This "army of one" is mindless to post something like this on a nonsecured board.

I would hope that whomever posted this would realize that something like this, if really written by a CO pilot, could come back to haunt the pilots at CO during negotiations. Ask any AA pilot what happens to one's coffers when a federal judge rules against you in these matters.

While I can relate and sympathize as a furloughed pilot myself, I would hope I'd never be naive enough to think that a post like this couldn't come back to haunt me, those that depend on me and those that work with me.

 

[Timebuilder]

I'd like to hear some comments from high time captains on this thread.

Is there any mandate in work rules that this pilot MUST call for a part to be ready at the gate, head off mistakes made by operations or dispatch, buy the cheapest fuel, or calculate and use best routes? If not, being less diligent may not be a legal matter if you are not required to be extraordinarily dilligent. In most matters, you need only show "due dilligence" in order to be in the right.

The question for me is "How much dilligence is 'due'? " Is it possible that his only responsibility is to operate safely according to the FAA rules and the operating certificate?

 

[saabtrash]

Quote from "avbug" a.k.a God:

-----"Go get em, tough guy (er, oh, exhalted one).

When you're done playing army, there are 10.000 other pilots who are ready to take your place and try to do their job without whining.

Have a ball.----"

Hey bug, do you ever have anything good to say? It seems to me like you spend most of your time on this board lecturing and degrading people. I don't remember when you were appointed the great overlord of this board. I cannot argue that your knowledge is somthing to be proud of, and has been helpful to countless people on this board, however, I think it's time the question is asked...

Why are you so bitter, surely a person who is as "wonderful" as you should just be thrilled with life and seem a little more happy. Maybe your trying to make up for some sort of personal shortcomings in your private life. I guess we'll never know.

Well said Feduppilot.