Skybus and the Teamsters

[SoCalAprch]

Fair enough.

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by Minuteman

Thinking about it some more, it seems like there is some significant exposure to, uh, liability in that case (ahem). If the company has a convention of monitoring ("babysitting") their employees during layovers and one of those employees goes out and wrecks-up the place, it seems like blame could potentially be placed on the company, or even the captain personally, for failing to keep their urchins on a leash.

This is an airline?

You know what, if I were a captain for that airline, I would go to HR and tell them exactly that. What are you going to do if someone screws up and you've asked me to babysit them? Are you going to cover me and defend me if there's any liability as a result?

If the answer isn't no, and it's not in writing from the chief counsel of the airline, I ain't doing it.

Fire my ass. It's better to be fired than to be responsible for the liability that may be incurred if one of the crew I was supposed to babysit does something stupid.

[mikecweb]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

I've stated that for all 121 scheduled PASSENGER operations, that I feel it should be ONE UNION with one voice. Collectively.

Now for guys like Don, or any other cargo driver who operates 121. . .I don't really give a damn what type of union / association you boys and girls use. You're not competition to the 121 scheduled PASSENGER operators.

So. . .no sense arguing with DE in regards to who he thinks is the better union for the 121 passenger collective.

If UPS was ALPA would Don's opinion matter?

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

If UPS was ALPA would Don's opinion matter?

Better question... Do FedEx pilot's opinions matter?

Or ASTAR or Atlas or Capital or Champion or Evergreen or Gemini or Polar?

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

If UPS was ALPA would Don's opinion matter?

I know you like quoting me. . .but, did I ever say Don's opinion didn't matter? Or (for BobDDuck) that anyone's opinion doesn't matter?

Let's take a look, professionally, at what I have been saying. . .let's see if we can play along for a few moments.

I'm more concerned with seeing all 121 passenger operations' pilots united under one umbrella.

If Cargo pilots are ALPA, or want to be ALPA. . .excellent. But my personal main opinion is that all 121 scheduled passenger pilots should be under one umbrella.

I won't ever tell a Cargo ALPA member how I think he should run his association - as I don't fly in that sector. I'll support their decisions, because they are ALPA. I would also think it wouldn't be too much to ask though for the cargo guys to support whatever decision a fellow ALPA MEC concludes, instead of telling them how to run their show. So, in my personal viewpoint their opinions do not matter directly to how I feel a 121 passenger ALPA MEC should react/act. Just as I do not feel that a 121 passenger ALPA MEC's opinions should not matter to a 121 cargo ALPA MEC's decisions or how they react.

I'll walk that line with any of them when/if the time comes, but I'm not going to tell those guys how to run their ballgame, and I would expect the same courtesy from them.

As a 121 passenger pilot I am more concerned with my (general usage) sector of the industry rather than what Cargo pilots are working towards. They have a different set of QOL/Pay/Benefit issues to fight for, than I think the 121 passenger pilots are fighting for.

More importantly, the customers are obviously different. Cargo pilots have a certain luxury of not having to worry about boxes complaining about high prices.

[Seggy]

I think some people should be worried about passing systems class rather than be concerned at this point about cargo vs. passenger ALPA membership.

[PCL_128]

I'm sure he'll do just fine in systems.

[Seggy]

I am sure he will do fine as well.

What I am saying is sometimes one needs to actually experience what is going on, THEN form opinions especially about something as irrelevant as airline vs. cargo airline union membership.

[surreal1221]

Well Seggy, I greatly appreciate your concern.

Do you have anything to contribute in regards to my position on a one union, one umbrella for 121 scheduled passenger operation pilots? I don't see it as a controversial issue, and have only mentioned it as I feel it would strengthen that portion of the profession.

[Seggy]

Actually, while on probation I think it is a great idea to keep ones mouth shut. Go to meetings, volunteer behind the scenes but, sit down, shut up, and hold on!

Honestly, you really haven't experienced much in the 121 world except a few weeks in ground school. Careful about the opinions you form and what you say, because opinions can change over time. Opinions I have had when I started this career have changed with personal experiences.

[surreal1221]

Is there someplace I can go to stop being human too?

I'm sure my opinions might change, but I don't see the harm done in providing some input in regards to supporting a single union / association for all 121 passenger operating pilots.

[PCL_128]

Seggy, normally I would agree, but surreal isn't your typical uninformed newbie. The sad thing is that he probably knows twice as much about ALPA and trade unionism in general than the average senior Captain that he'll be flying with.

[Seggy]

PCL, I know surreal is well informed, which is good.

What I am saying, is be careful in what you say surreal. ESPECIALLY on probation at an airline that has slowed hiring and canceling upgrade classes.

Sitting in the corner, being silent, listening what is going on, and taking what people are saying, isn't that bad of an idea.