McCain Hates Pilots

[gkrangers]

Wait...senior United pilots make $342,000?

 

[PimpJuice]

Then you've never met and personally talked with the guy about it.

When I was a 727 F/O for EOI in Dallas, I was 1 week on, 1 week off and was commuting up to New York in my off-weeks to fly day charter for extra $$.

Our 135 outfit got one of the DOD contracts to fly the Congressmen and Senators around on the campaign trails that year. (That was the year that Hillary Clinton ran against Congressman Lazio for the New York Senate seat - let me tell you, I flew Lazio around and had several "interesting" experiences with that woman, and they weren't pleasant, but that's a subject for another thread).

We flew McCain around all the time while he was helping other Republican candidates trying to get into office, and that sonuvab*tch was DEFINITELY anti-pilot.

We were going down to some hole-in-the-wall airport in Mississippi (didn't even have an ILS) about 3 days after he made that comment about pilots and he came up to the cockpit during flight and asked us how we were doing.

Normally I wouldn't have said anything but I was p*ssed and, without missing a beat, I said, "Well, if the F/O was making more than $20k a year and I was making more than $50k a year flying a 727, which is what I do with my full-time job, we'd probably be doing better, but then we'd be greedy, right?"

He didn't believe me, thought I was lying about my pay rates, even when I offered to show him copies of my paychecks.

Obviously I didn't fly him again, the owner took all his trips and I was happy to keep flying some of the other, very cool politicians like Lazio, Fred Thompson, etc around.

Long story short (too late), McCain would be one of THE WORST politicians you could have sitting in the White House from an airline labor standpoint.

I think he's personally envious he never made it to the "big time" in aviation and is skewed on reality and doesn't WANT to know the truth.

Just my opinion, FWIW.[/quote

Are you kidding me? This guy is a U.S. Senator, a strong contendor for the most power position in the world, and as you say "envious he never made it to the "big time" in aviation". Right, I'm sure he's sitting there on his campaign plane thinking about what a failure his life is because he's not the one driving around this lame 727 charter plane.

 

[Gorilla]

I voted Dem. and I will do it again. Ive only known of a few Republicans that have been pro-labor. Im all for keeping Americans working.

Uh, Yeah. Clinton, our Democratic president, pro-labor, all-around good dude, REALLY helped us out at American when we struck. He gave us all of 10 minutes before ordering us back to work with a prepared statement.

The really funny thing is that a computerized message ORDERING us back to work was fired off into our company computer system (DECS) BEFORE Klinton ever took the podium. Our company knew exactly what was going to happen. It still tastes like bitter ashes. If you can't strike, you have no power. Klinton, senators, congressmen, and judges, are/were all owned by AMR, and our ability (at AA at least) to engage in a job action, is non-existent.

Democrats are pro-labor ONLY if your labor group smuggles large satchels of cash to their headquarters.

 

[av8orboy]

I agree with the article in its entirety. What's the issue?

I second that...What's the issue?

He was a pilot, he knows what it takes. So my guess, that stuff, as 90% of the crap we read, was taken out of context.

"What it takes?.?" NASA taught monkeys to fly.

 

[jj21211]

Well said Hamburger. Theres no shortage of attacks on anyone making over 30,000 a year. (considered RICH by dems). Its an easy class envy tool to get votes. BTW, FDR was a Democrat, but with nothing in common w/ present Dems.

 

[apache]

I can't really buy the idea that McCain is envious of pilots. The only greater ego booster than being a us senator would be making president. Cash, booze, whores, use of corporate america's jet at will............

 

[PCL_128]

I can't really buy the idea that McCain is envious of pilots. The only greater ego booster than being a us senator would be making president. Cash, booze, whores, use of corporate america's jet at will............

I don't think he's envious. I just think he's an ass.

 

[JD2003]

I heard a rumor once that McCain's son flys for American and that they are not exactly on speaking terms.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Uh, Yeah. Clinton, our Democratic president, pro-labor, all-around good dude, REALLY helped us out at American when we struck. He gave us all of 10 minutes before ordering us back to work with a prepared statement.

The really funny thing is that a computerized message ORDERING us back to work was fired off into our company computer system (DECS) BEFORE Klinton ever took the podium. Our company knew exactly what was going to happen. It still tastes like bitter ashes. If you can't strike, you have no power. Klinton, senators, congressmen, and judges, are/were all owned by AMR, and our ability (at AA at least) to engage in a job action, is non-existent.

Democrats are pro-labor ONLY if your labor group smuggles large satchels of cash to their headquarters.

I always thought this was because the APA is not an AFL-CIO affiliate union and as such didn't contribute to his campaign. He didn't seem to have a problem letting other airline unions strike during his presidency, just the ones that didn't contribute.

Quite the 'republican' move on his part if you think about it.

 

[viking737]

I heard a rumor once that McCain's son flys for American and that they are not exactly on speaking terms.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

I have heard the same rumour.
There are 2 McCains on the AA seniority list, one is a DFW MD80 capt, one is a New York 777FO.

 

[JohnQ]

I think he's personally envious he never made it to the "big time" in aviation

Right....the guy is a senator, possible president (for good or ill) is known by name by millions (again, for good or ill) but all he frets about all day is "darn it, I never got hired by United!"

It is always amusing reading these message boards...they are nothing more than the same dudes telling each other (over and over and over) what they want to hear...

 

[Lear70]

Right....the guy is a senator, possible president (for good or ill) is known by name by millions (again, for good or ill) but all he frets about all day is "darn it, I never got hired by United!"

It is always amusing reading these message boards...they are nothing more than the same dudes telling each other (over and over and over) what they want to hear...

Whatever makes you feel happy there, genius.

Someone can harbor resentment, even if their present position is better than what they would have had.

After meeting the guy in person several times, I stick by my belief.

Have YOU ever been around McCain for hours at a time?

Didn't think so.

 

[JethroFDX]

God bless him for his service and sacrifice, that goes for any military personel who have served or in service, Especially those who were POW's.

But McCain in Nucking Futz!

 

[vtwin]

Right....the guy is a senator, possible president (for good or ill) is known by name by millions (again, for good or ill) but all he frets about all day is "darn it, I never got hired by United!"

It is always amusing reading these message boards...they are nothing more than the same dudes telling each other (over and over and over) what they want to hear...

Actually, he probably frets about never making admiral... Flew with a 757
captain, now retired, who said when the senator was shot down the mood on their carrier was upbeat. He also said he was happy he did not have him for an IP because all the senator did was scream at his students.

 

[727C47]

God bless him for his service and sacrifice, that goes for any military personel who have served or in service, Especially those who were POW's.

But McCain in Nucking Futz!

With you on that one,God bless him ,sincerely, but no way would I ever vote for him. I really wish Jimmy Webb was running.

 

[Gorilla]

I always thought this was because the APA is not an AFL-CIO affiliate union and as such didn't contribute to his campaign. He didn't seem to have a problem letting other airline unions strike during his presidency, just the ones that didn't contribute.

Quite the 'republican' move on his part if you think about it.

I'm not sure I understand your point. Clinton had two options:

1) He could allow the strike despite any lack of financial contributions to him or Democrats in general. This would demonstrate a consistency in his views on organized labor. OR...

2) He could punish us because we did not pony up the cash.

Option 2 is what he went with, and is completely consistent with his style of leadership, and his moral and ethical viewpoint, i.e. cash is king, money talks, B.S. walks, etc etc.

 

[Lear70]

Jethro! What's up, buddy?

 

[dtfl]

You will find quite a few career officers that loathe airline pilots. Whether its jealously or just a different career decision, many resent the guys who bailed at 6, 10, or 15 years and went out and were success at the airline life.

Throw that mix and add some power as a politician...and...well...it can be bad.

I like John McCain--except for this issue. I think John Kerry and Obama and Hillary could all care less about me either, however. I'm looking for a strong foreign policy president that doesn't hate unions or collective bargaining, and might just think twice before opening the doors to 100% free trade without considering some of the ramifications for American workers.

Anybody got a name? I'm still searching...

Funny Albie - I TOTALLY agree...scary....maybe it's the Gulf water that does it to us..
I don't think we will find a candidate like that as the parties won't support someone who is leaning towards the center.....and no independents have enough backing to win!!

 

[727C47]

I will say it again,James Webb for Pres.,if not in '08,then '12 for sure.

 

[CF34-3B1]

Funny Albie - I TOTALLY agree...scary....maybe it's the Gulf water that does it to us..
I don't think we will find a candidate like that as the parties won't support someone who is leaning towards the center.....and no independents have enough backing to win!!

agreed 100%.

Sad that the 'leadership' of both parties is going to force most of us to decide who to vote against rather than vote for.

 

[pipe]

Are you frickin kidding me? That is such an assanine statement. This guy paid about as a high a price as any soldier can pay for this country. He actually stayed in Hanoi an extra three years instead of accepting an early out because of who his Dad was. All this to keep faith with his fellow POW's. Do your homework. The fire on the Forrestal was in no way his fault.

How can a President be "anti-pilot". Do you believe this is an actual campaign platform?

Everything you said is 100% true.

None of what you said makes him a good politician, ditchdigger, gynecologist, etc. He's a war hero. He has made many, many anti-pilot public comments. He has introduced anti-labor legislation during his tenure. These are facts.

Just because he was a POW with honor does not in and of itself qualify him to do any other job. The real irony is that the only thing he's really been professionally trained to do is fly airplanes.

PIPE

 

[Trout]

http://www.teamtancredo.com/issues.php

...Scary.

 

[apache]

I will not take away anything from anyone that has suffered as a result of serving in the military. However, that doesn't mean that they are not a jerk, corrupt, incompetent, greedy, or just wrong. Perhaps McCain enjoyed his bamboo box so much that he thinks that all airline pilots should have to live in one.

 

[vetrider]

I don't think Sen. McCain realizes that not all of us have been able to marry an heiress, unlike someone we know.

 

[mamba20]

You will find quite a few career officers that loathe airline pilots. Whether its jealously or just a different career decision, many resent the guys who bailed at 6, 10, or 15 years and went out and were success at the airline life.

Throw that mix and add some power as a politician...and...well...it can be bad.

I like John McCain--except for this issue. I think John Kerry and Obama and Hillary could all care less about me either, however. I'm looking for a strong foreign policy president that doesn't hate unions or collective bargaining, and might just think twice before opening the doors to 100% free trade without considering some of the ramifications for American workers.

Anybody got a name? I'm still searching...

Great post.

 

[KCPilot]

I have heard the same rumour.
There are 2 McCains on the AA seniority list, one is a DFW MD80 capt, one is a New York 777FO.

The AA pilot you speak of is married to McCain's daughter - making him McCain's son in law. Pretty sure he's an FO.

 

[Huck]

I thought his son was at SWA.....

And his wife was an F/A, right?

 

[puddlejumper101]

I think and hope it's Obama vs. Gulianni. Two completely new people instead of Clinton or McCain. Scary thing is I think it will be one of those 4...so pick your poison. There might be way better candidates but I doubt they will have the recognition these 4 have. I would rather have Obama any day over Hillary...or Gulianni over McCain.

 

[JohnQ]

Actually, he probably frets about never making admiral... Flew with a 757
captain, now retired, who said when the senator was shot down the mood on their carrier was upbeat. He also said he was happy he did not have him for an IP because all the senator did was scream at his students.

You are assuredly correct. Actually I flew a few years ago with a former PanAm pilot who was on the flight deck with McCain when the Forrestal blew up and knew him very well on a first name basis...and vouched for the fact that he was a complete a**hole in the Navy. He even told me the specific nickname that they called him at the training command (where he was not well liked) and the fact that he was abusive to his DC staff.

I'm not saying McCain is a good guy. I am just saying I am amused by the frequent "group think" mentality that can dominate a message board, as in "McCain hates pilots (true enough)...therefore he is jealous of us and only hates us because he never got hired by a major."

 

[Jeepman]

You will find quite a few career officers that loathe airline pilots. Whether its jealously or just a different career decision, many resent the guys who bailed at 6, 10, or 15 years and went out and were success at the airline life.

Throw that mix and add some power as a politician...and...well...it can be bad.

I like John McCain--except for this issue. I think John Kerry and Obama and Hillary could all care less about me either, however. I'm looking for a strong foreign policy president that doesn't hate unions or collective bargaining, and might just think twice before opening the doors to 100% free trade without considering some of the ramifications for American workers.

Anybody got a name? I'm still searching...

Yes,

Colin Powell.....oh wait he's not running. Never mind.