It's of no consequence to a CP that keeps his or her door open. In a large 121 operation, it's true that some more routine administrative actions are handled by assistants, but it's still the responsibility of the chief pilot to ensure that those items are done; that's the job description of the chief pilot. It also includes such mundane items as ensuring that each crewmember has current aeronautical charts. That this may be delegated (and typically is), isn't relevant.
Just what earth shattering issues must the CP be in tune with in order to carry the weight of his people to Pharaoh? The part where he understands that they have a schedule to keep while taking off at one airport and landing at another, or the part that they're whining that ten days a month is too much work and the breadcrumbs and window dressing is just too low?
"Gentlemen. I bring you news from the line. New challenges await out troops out there. Just yesteday I returned from the front lines, the place where our men slug it out with the worst our national airspace system has to offer. I have been there and seen it, gentlemen, and it is not pretty. With my own two eyes, gentleman, I saw a new trial, yet another new challenge faced by our boys; I was forced to fly an approach. Not any approach, but an instrument approach. I know. It's unsettling. But I believe we can make this equitable, maintain esperit de corps, and save a mutiny which is surely at our doors.
That is right, gentleman. By ensuring that each man, woman, and child receives an measily ten thousand extra this year, we can avert a civil war in our company, which is brought low to the dust by this new development. Is it not enough that our boys brave large pressing throngs of people every day in their quest to reach our cockpits? Is it not enough that every day, I hear from one or more brave troopers that has been wanded, that had to remove his or her shoes? Even yet, a few who have been forced, Lord help us, to remove their belt? Or hat?
Need I remind you of the difficulty that every young man and older man alike faces, in tying his tie every day (except for those silly little clip-on ones), or the risk of a papercut while updating his or her Jeppesen aeronautical charts? Gentleman, I stand before you this day, having been among our rank and file, to remind you that this day they will not go quietly into the night, this day they shall not rest without a range-fed chicken in every pot. This day they shall not endure another wand or lippy gate agent, or air traffic controller without a lisp, lacking the renumeration they so richly deserve. I urge you, all of you, to consider their plight before you retire to your overstuffed feather down beds this eve, to think of them in your prayers, to remember them in your budget. For I have been down there, gentlemen, and I have seen it myself. Their fate rests in your hands. Thank you."
Naw, you're right. Go for the term limits. Or at least leave it to union rank and file to vote in their administrative leaders, such as the chief pilot.
Perhaps while they're at it, they can have a say in who gets assigned as Director of Operations, and even as CEO...
