Flight Opts Management is buying the beer

[jetwash]

It seems that Flight Options management is going around to the hotels where the crews are staying and offering to buy dinner and drinks if the pilots want to talk and ask questions about the union.

From what I hear everyone is eating and drinking then telling them that they already voted for the union :laugh: :beer:

 

[hydrarkt]

HA!! That's great! Another waste of money in addtion to the union busting firm they hired! Idiots...

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Its about time that we got something worthwhile out of FLOPS management...:beer:

 

[leardawg]

"I know what I'll do, Smithers! Buy them beer, then they'll be too drunk to form a union. Eeeeeeeexxxxxxccccceeeelllllent! Hitch the horses to the beer wagon!!!"

 

[Spackler]

I ran into a flops pilot the other day in the hotel bar and I asked “Did you vote yet, I already did!’-I didn’t recognize him-he looked at me funny, laughed and told me he was an apm. Anyway he told me he was out on the road to spread the “management loves you, they know they have made mistakes” spiel. He didn’t buy me any beer though damn it!

So the moral of my story:
Don’t tell any management pilots that you already voted until after they buy you a beer!

 

[spngbobsqrpilot]

It seems that Flight Options management is going around to the hotels where the crews are staying and offering to buy dinner and drinks if the pilots want to talk and ask questions about the union....

Sounds a bit like "entrapment", no?

 

[FracCapt]

Sounds a bit like "entrapment", no?

Why? We're allowed to drink while off duty....under certain circumstances. I think the latest rule is that you can drink as long as it's not within 8 hours of your available duty on time. IMO, my available time is whatever I was briefed for duty on. Until then, I usually don't answer the phone.

 

[Spackler]

Entrapment might not be the word for it but “Election Interference” rings a bell! I really don’t know if this would be considered election interference but it sure seems like one of those gray areas...not too far from bribery.

 

[netjetwife]

I'm, with you Spackler. Sounds worrisome to me, too. But then, I saw some things happen to the NJ pilots during their negotiations that has left me leery of things that can turn around on you. I'd just make sure that you have a way to document the time you were drinking, to be on the safe side. You know you're within the rules, but so did my husband last year when he turned down the FBO's offer of using the crew car to go get lunch. They were flight planning over lunch, so ordered (free for them) catering. Word got back to the company and my husband had to do a telephone carpet dance to explain something that had never been questioned before. We all knew they were harassing pilots.

The other thing you can watch for now, is some of your fellow pilots to buy into that "management loves you" spiel. Remember, it gets results or they wouldn't be out there. I'm sure your leadership has a plan on how to counter the bribery.

The nice thing about this, is that it has started. It's out in the open where you can fight it. Just remember that things will be better on the other side and y'all get through it just fine. You're a threat now and that's why they're out there! Congratulations! You're off to a good start!
NJW

 

[gunfyter]

Beer me! Are they buying for NJ guys that happen to be around too?

 

[Spackler]

Beer me! Are they buying for NJ guys that happen to be around too?

Just complain a lot and look at your bb every once in a while. You should blend in just fine. Tell them you’re a fence sitter and let the manager waste his/her time on you so they don’t go after a new hire. And then after about 10 beers you can say, “Thank God I fly for Net Jets!”
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Side note:
The management pilot I spoke of in the above post seemed to agree with everything I had to say but his main argument was that “management has seen the err of their ways—let’s just give them ONE more chance—if I’m wrong I’ll vote for the union in 12 months—bla bla bla”

I Just want to let other pilots know what they might expect. I would seriously recommend telling them you are a fence sitter for several reasons:

1. Even if you already voted, it takes his/her efforts away from trying to brainwash a new hire.
2. It provides the union busters with false information because they ARE keeping score.
3. It takes the heat off of you, so you don't find yourself in a trap.

I think I messed up by telling this guy I already voted because since that night I haven’t done a thing. I’m rotting away in the hotel. I have NEVER had a rotation like this. It tells me one thing though—I must have made a good PRO UNION argument.

Most importantly: Do not get into a situation where you are alone with one of these guys. Always have a witness. If you think you are being threatened, take detailed notes and contact one of the organizers.

 

[leardawg]

Beware of potted plants with feet!

 

[netjetwife]

......And then after about 10 beers you can say, “Thank God I fly for Net Jets!” ....I would seriously recommend telling them you are a fence sitter for several reasons: .....I’m rotting away in the hotel. I have NEVER had a rotation like this. It tells me one thing though—I must have made a good PRO UNION argument.

Most importantly: Do not get into a situation where you are alone with one of these guys. Always have a witness. If you think you are being threatened, take detailed notes and contact one of the organizers.

Spackler, I can easily picture Gunfyter doing that....lol Of course, a few months ago, none of us on the NJ side were laughing. It just goes to show how things can be turned around. I knew you guys would have a strategy, or come up with one very quickly in response to what they're throwing at you. Getting the word out makes all the difference in fights like this. That's great advice on not being alone with them. I'm sorry for you, but not a bit surprised to hear you were "rewarded" with crew rot. It's a common and obvious tactic used by the other side. Get revenge by doing union work with your extra time.

If you don't want the beer, pour it into the potted plant. Just make sure you pick one with feet! Sounds like Leardawg can help you spot 'em...