Pilots on Food Stamps: Sez Michael Moore

[Rez O. Lewshun]

At one time ALPA was a Captain's union. Captains had all the votes. The F/O's were along for the ride and it was a good one.

Do you have examples of a good ride?

Now the F/O's have power to take back what they think they want. The result is no focus on direction except division. Consessions are made for protecting the bottom half. If and when the F/O's become captains there is nothing left, little pay and no retirement. That brings no accomplishment and dissatisfaction with the union. ALPA is then voted out.

Is that ALPA's fault?

This can not be changed at this point. It's too late. Only a future pilot shortange along with a realization of what has happened can bring about change.

Best of luck.......You've got a big job to save this career before the whole industry is just like Michael Moore sees us all. Don't get sick....

So you've washed your hands clean and put the burden of the profession on me, or whoever will take the burden?

Why is the burden not for you?

 

[pilotyip]

still a great career if you like flying airplanes, and if that is the case you don't need all those student loans to pay off.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Why is the burden not for you?

I wish you the best results for your efforts. The problem is too deep for most anyone to solve at this point. Scope was the real killer....

As for me, I've passed the tourch. Please do what you can to save the profession. You've got the job.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I wish you the best results for your efforts. The problem is too deep for most anyone to solve at this point. Scope was the real killer....

As for me, I've passed the tourch. Please do what you can to save the profession. You've got the job.

It only works when all of us are on board. If you've given up, then don't expect anyone else to carry the load.....

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

It only works when all of us are on board. If you've given up, then don't expect anyone else to carry the load.....

It only works if all those who are working are on board. I was retired just in time. So, yes, it's your job and all those who are working.

Focus and Unity, that's the key.......but I think everyone know that...

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I am sure you workeed to protect the profession over the years....

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

I am sure you workeed to protect the profession over the years....

Well I did put it all on the line to walk the picket line. I have my Battle Star ALPA pin, what's it worth?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Well I did put it all on the line to walk the picket line. I have my Battle Star ALPA pin, what's it worth?

quite a bit....

 

[414Flyer]

The problem can be reduced by doing things the old way. Voting weighted toward Captains. Then fight for Captains pay.... Stay focused on one objective: Pay! That's easy to understand. Hit the Easy Button.....

But that is part of the problem, those "Captains" have so often been willing to sell out the younger ones, in exchange for a few more bucks. Maybe if those Captains had not been so willing to let Mainline start feeder alter ego operations, in exchange for whatever gift Management offered, think of how much different it would be. There has been this whole underpaid underclass of pilots created now by those decisions, who are on this neverending carousels of feeder contracts between different mainlines.

Look at how many Captains would rather furlough the junior, rather than have less hours but that keeps more pilots employed. Or how many of them have no problem picking up open time, with younger furloughees out there. If some 58 year old pilot cant lose a few hours a month to help a junior pilot pay rent and eat food, that senior pilot is a real POS.

Pilots are partly to blame for this mess too unfortunately. There is a lot of "ME ME ME" going on, and brotherhood is fine until a group of pilots see a dollar laying in the street, then its UFC time.

And how many pilots have just told new commercial pilots to just take any job for experience and not care about the pay. That sets a horrible example to follow and instills a mindset to place work and getting new experience, over quality of life in the present. Other fields do not have people that put up with such crap, in order to have ones "Dream".

And the next time someone says "Oh but I have to be a pilot, its my dream and there is not anything else in the world that I can do". Well, then you are pretty stupid and have no business flying an airplane then anyways. And its those same "dreamy" types that think that they will not care what they make as a pilot, that it will just be so awesome and dreamy, until they have a 5am preflight in Fargo in December. But hey, they have already taken the job then. Management has its cost unit seat filler for barista pay.

I do agree with Michael Moore that the state of the airlines and pay is reprehensible, its why I have never gone to the airlines. I was making more this summer per month flying a C90 than most RJ Captains do, so those good paying jobs are out there to be found. But if pay is going to change for up and coming pilots, attitudes will have to change in pilots too.

 

[pilotyip]

In the end everyone looks out for their own best interests, it is human nature.