US Air Disappointingly rude

[pegasus]

Now I know how it feels to be out of work. I know how it feels to make 1.7 x min wage. I know how disappointing it must be for those guys at US Air to realise their world is crumbling about them. So I will not pass judgement. But just wanted to share what happened 2 days ago in ORF.

Waited on a USAir 737 to pull out of the alley way. They were very slow, but we waited patiently. And waited, and waited. They finally started moving, so as we passed each other the captain and I waved. Only to be flipped off by the FO from their cockpit. I assume that this is their response to PHL and our (SWA) move into their territory.

Any similar stories out there? Wouldn't want to say 'hi' to a USAir guy in the terminal if he's gonna get upset.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Pegasus,

Sorry to hear about that. It's times llike this that make me embarrassed that I worked there.

He is probably just some jerk-off that was turned down by SWA at some time or another.

Most guy over there are great, but like anywhere, they have their share of social degenerates.

Snort

 

[sabreliner]

Now I know how it feels to be out of work. I know how it feels to make 1.7 x min wage. I know how disappointing it must be for those guys at US Air to realise their world is crumbling about them. So I will not pass judgement. But just wanted to share what happened 2 days ago in ORF.

Waited on a USAir 737 to pull out of the alley way. They were very slow, but we waited patiently. And waited, and waited. They finally started moving, so as we passed each other the captain and I waved. Only to be flipped off by the FO from their cockpit. I assume that this is their response to PHL and our (SWA) move into their territory.

Any similar stories out there? Wouldn't want to say 'hi' to a USAir guy in the terminal if he's gonna get upset.

There are some very nice people at AAA, but unfortunately there are also a lot of po'd ones that make it a mission to let everyone around them know how unhappy they are. Gotta remember though, if I'm not mistaken AAA doesn't have a single F/O left working for them.

When I worked at ALG, it was a rare USAir flight crew (pilot or F/A) that would say hi back to you in the terminals. I guess we were beneath them. That doesn't even address how much the F/A's liked us when we Dead Headed on their airplanes.

They've certainly got more than their share of sour apples.

 

[ferlo]

This is just another example of pilots blaming other pilots for what their company decides to do. Stupid.

 

[AlbieF15]

That guy probably had already had a long day putting up with stupid passengers, , incompetant CSRs , and lousy flight attendents . His captain was probably a jerk, too. Now a SWA jerk comes by....geez what is a guy to do?

Odds are if you are miserable at work at company X, you'll be miserable at company Y.

Thank you to the other 99.9% of the airline business that treats me like a rock star when you are nice enough to let me deadhead or I see you on the ramp at OAK, EWR, IND, or MEM. Not only do the nice people make commuting easier, they also help make this job a lot more satisfying.

What is it Hugh Jorgan once said?..."Hey...go put a deposit in the Good Karma bank..."

 

[MDP727]

This has gone on in this buis for years. Not all, but alot of folks at the legacy carriers come done with the holier than thou attitude. Fact of the matter is most couldn't fly there way out of a paper bag. I'll never understand why it has to be this way. I do have examples at United and Usair of these folks. I know two instances where a Usair crew tryed to kick other airline crews out of there van before leaving to the hotel. "We're entitled to our own van." Give me a f----in break! The rumour mill has it four Usair guys have been fired form ATA as new hires. Don't know the exact reasons however, it appears to be attitude related.
Now you would think a logical person would be grateful to be employed with as many folks on the street these days.
Not trying to pick on Usair, don't even know anyone there. What gives?

 

[boeingdriver213]

I think the constant threats to their careers are getting to some of the guys. I can tell you that 99% of the people at U are great people just trying to do the best they can with what they have been dealt with. However, that remaining 1% really makes life hard on everyone. Don't let that 1% make you believe all U people are that way, they are just way more obvious with their behavior.......

 

[Ty Webb]

AirTran has hired a fair amount of former USAIRWAYS pilots. From what I have heard and seen; most have made the transition very well.

There are a few that still cling to hopes about returning to USAirways, but I don't see it happening.

Regardless, everyone that comes here is welcome; please leave your baggage at the door, though . . . . and let's keep this a positive place to work . . . at least until contract 2005!

tw

 

[ferlo]

alot of folks at the legacy carriers come done with the holier than thou attitude. Fact of the matter is most couldn't fly there way out of a paper bag.

I'm a furloughed US Airways pilot. I've made it to another major. F. You and your "paper bag" comment. Guys like you bag on others who went to the majors. Now with the benefit of hind sight, you think you're smarter and better. You are still a POS flying for peanuts. You're the anchor around the necks of real professional pilots.

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

Airtran?????

How does a post about a US Airways Pilot flipping off a SWA crew turn into a post about work habbits for pilots at Airtran???

Yes, Airtran is a great place to work. We get it!!!!

Now can we have conversations about other things without someone mentioning "Airtran" in a completely irrelivent context...

Thanks you...

PS.. I want to respond (in context) to the ORIGINAL POST!!!
Its bad manners, and it (flippin the finger) Airtrancertainly is not excusable conduct, but I feel for the US Airways guys.

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

my original post should read

Its bad manners, and it (flippin the finger) certainly is not excusable conduct, but I feel for the US Airways guys.

leave the "Airtran" off the sentence...


Sorry...

 

[TWA Dude]

Nobody seems to be mentioning something important here: what happened wasn't a private moment. Undoubdedly there were pax who could see the birdy display. That's the truly sad part of the story.

Dude

 

[sandman2122]

True

Wow, it's so true what guys are saying about pissed off pilots. At FedEx we have several x-Eastern guys that are "p.o.ed" at the world because of their past . Like I had a lot to do with the airline deregulation, crappy CEO's, etc....Needless to say, they don't wear ties, love to bitch and gripe about everything, are far from acting professional (heard this one 727 Captain say "don't fool yourself into believing you're in a white-collar job").

The biggest gripe I have is when the "grumpy old-heads" try to get you p.o.ed as well about their situation. They are way too angry and have deep resentment about their past - that it transfers over to their current employer. Something I obviously have control over - but should be at the bar with them "bad-mouthibg" FedEx and flying in general - nope, not me partner!

Boy, I split from that crew on my layover in ONT, no need being around negative vibes on my off-duty! I'm all for getting the "most" out of my contract, but not at the expense of customers or the finanacial health of my empoyer - that's going too far. Example: in MCI recently, the ramp manager said: "I've got some late-bulk coming but if you can't get an "on-time" I'll leave it". We had plenty of time and the Captain waited, we took it and blocked out exactly as scheduled".

 

[dlredline]

. . .Waited on a USAir 737 to pull out of the alley way. They were very slow, but we waited patiently. And waited, and waited. They finally started moving, so as we passed each other the captain and I waved. Only to be flipped off by the FO from their cockpit. I assume that this is their response to PHL and our (SWA) move into their territory. . .

Pegasus,

What a shame. I spent 15 years at U, a good portion of that time also working in the training department. To a man/woman, everyone I came in contact with were consumate professionals and dedicted individuals. Did they have 1 %'ers? Sure, and after what this pilot group has had to endure, I can't blame them for venting occasionally, though I can't condone what this ORF crew did. Totally inappropriate.

I think more and more, USAirways employees are beginning to realize the end is near for their career at this malfunctioning airline. They've endured more hardship than most will every know. Many are bound by "golden handcuffs", too fearful to walk away with so many years of dedicated service, too fearful of the unknown beyond their world at USAirways.

Besides, the F/O that flipped you off was more than likely visable to every passenger on that side of you airplane. You think they'll remember that gesture the next time they make travel plans from ORF and given a choice of carriers? Impressions like that are hard to overcome.

Best of luck to all of us!

Red

 

[MDP727]

"I'm a furloughed US Airways pilot. I've made it to another major. F. You and your "paper bag" comment. Guys like you bag on others who went to the majors. Now with the benefit of hind sight, you think you're smarter and better. You are still a POS flying for peanuts. You're the anchor around the necks of real professional pilots."


Wow, double barrels that's cool. For your info I work for ATA, I don't think we work for peanuts. In fact "our" alpa "brotherhood" doesn't think so either. It wasn't hindsight that put me at ATA, it was foresight, I took the risk that the company would prosper and would come through on this contract before it ever happened.
AA never applied, DAL never applied, Usair never applied, Ual never applied, NWA never applied, CAL never applied, FED never applied, ya see I chose ATA. I don't think I'm smarter or better, I do think I fly an airplane very well. Most people in back wouldn't want someone in front of them thinking anything less. The paper bag comment was aimed at the holier than thou attitudes out there. If the shoe fits wear it.
Back to the original post, this is an open forum and everyone's entitled to there opinion. I was following this persons theme and stated some facts I knew of. The van incidents were pre 911.
I have met several furloughed Usair folks at ATA and they seem pretty nice. It's my opinion as far as furloughed guys coming in the door at ATA by far the best are TWA guys. They seem to have the best attitude and appreciate the opportunity, more grounded if you will.
So I'm sorry for you and all others if your dreams fell apart at a particular carrier, hopefully you'll all be able to pick up the peices and find good flying jobs.
Always treat this profession as something you do for fun and find a way to make secure income outside of the buisness. Our day at ATA will come to. When it's over I'll leave with the satisfaction of knowing I always treated the most under paid, hardest worked, smallest airplane flying pilots with the same respect of a senior wide body capt making 300k a year.
All the best to you

 

[Huck]

If this incident had happened to me, I would have dropped a note with the date and flight number to USAir Pro Standards. Believe me, they would have handled it. This guy would not have been happy to hear from them.

 

[IB6 UB9]

"When it's over I'll leave with the satisfaction of knowing I always treated the most under paid, hardest worked, smallest airplane flying pilots with the same respect of a senior wide body capt making 300k a year."

Uhhh...this statement follows the paper bag statement? And you say you have respect? As far as your "didn't apply" comments, I sincerely doubt it, but if what you are saying is true then you are definitely a unique and gifted individual. You didn't apply to any of those majors that were hiring tons of people in their most profitable years? Just ATA huh? OK...incredible foresight. BTW, I am furloughed too, and I don't recall much of the holier than though attitude except from maybe the 1%er's, and maybe yourself after your stupid paper bag comment.

 

[MDP727]

The never applied thing isn't totally correct, I applied at ABX and was hired, however chose ATA.
Maybe my dealings are only with your "1%ers" then. I never lumped or directed comments at an entire pilot group. Even if I would have it's an opinion. Relax!
I hope you can return to work soon and enjoy the rest of your career.

 

[cocknbull]

Wow,

This seems to be rare behavior. I work for a US Airways Express carrier, and the US Airways pilots have been very friendly and nice to me. Infact the only pilot that has ever been rude to me was a Comair F/O. He told me to leave TSA right away becuase everyone hates contract carriers for stealing flying. Even then the Captain told him to shut his mouth, and he reminded him that Comair hadn't been owned by Delta for long and Comair had not always been a good place to work.

Anyway sorry to here about this event.

I edited my post so no one could tell I work for a an airline with the same initials as the security screeners.

 

[Ty Webb]

Watch it, Trans States and ATA guys .. . .. BigBrownDc8 will be hounding you about mentioning your carriers in this string.

Just what we need around here, another self-appointed string police commissioner with a reading comprehension problem and a chip on his shoulder.