I'm sure many of you are versed in the old cliche`, "divide and conquer"? Well, this is exactly what is happening before your very eyes with the creation of their site. Whatever the motivation of these two individuals is, I cannot imagine that they are so niave to think that they are really improving working conditions, pay or benefits at Colgan Air.
Everyone, myself included was shocked at the sale of Colgan to Pinnacle Air Holdings. And you know what? Even after all the ludicrous parties, aircraft orders and "warm n' fuzzy" letters from the boss in HEF things have fundamentally not changed! I say this tongue in cheek, because change is something that the Colgan managment is not something they are particularly good at. Status quo is the order of the day...
One can look at this "new" effort to "help" our pilot group by our "brethern" pilots in a variety of ways. I am going to err on the side of caution and brand it as a managment effort at union busting at it's finest (read that as UGLY). The reason I am erring on the side of caution is first and foremost I don't know or recognize a single name on the list save one...D.B. who rumor has it is on the short-list to be the next CP. I spent a good majority of my adult life putting my life in the hands of other people in the military. And, I had no problem doing it whatsoever. This however, is a whole new ballgame and I ain't so trusting of strangers anymore. I'm even less trusting of management.
Look, many of us have enjoyed and still enjoy a cordial relationship with many of the Colgan family. I personally find them to be hard-working and frugal people. However, this is BUSINESS and in the final analysis the all mighty dollar (PCL Holdings, Inc. stock price) is what the Colgan management now answers to. They were given the job to maintain the present cost structure and fundamental principles of operation that they have used for years. It was fine and dandy as little as two years ago. However, since the IAH operation started things have changed rapidly at Colgan from a size and revenue point of view.
Colgan Air is faced with perhaps it's biggest and best year depending on how the next few months go. Colgan Air's pilots are without exception one of the the MOST PRODUCTIVE in the airline industry. We've done it at the expense of days off, long hours of uncompensated time and are facing more of the same. WE can make it better, but not with the current tactics being used by those in opposition to the ALPA movement. They would do better to vote NO in a democratic election than to continue the foolish path they have decided to follow.
Perhaps the worst thing in this whole mess is that managment loves it! And, yes they will concede a few items...Maybe a dime more in per diem, or a two hour reserve call-out. BUT, I wouldn't look for much that is going to touch the bottom-line! And, as is the case with many regionals Colgan is going to continue going to the rapidly drying well of "qualified" candidates versus recruiting the "best & brightest".
Finally, to the smartasses that have said that those people that want a union are lazy and don't want to work...I'd challenge anyone on the amount of open time that I've personally picked up in addition to "other" duties. Why do I do it? ONE...I'm not FRIGGIN LAZY! TWO...This is what I am trained to do (Believe me, this industry is enough to kill the joy of bursting on top at dawn in just about anyone...Pretty freaking sad considering that I've been around airplanes since I was an infant) and lastly I have a family and need the MONEY...One last thing...NO ONE is getting by on a checkride...At least on the Beech 1900...I dare the SOB that said that to come up to me in LGA and I'll tell you what I think of that comment. COWARD
Regards,
ex-Navy Rotorhead
