GOOD LETTER>>>>>>In 2004 we gave this company, by many estimates, $10,000,000,000.00. That’s 10 Billion dollars! That is a lot of money! Frankly, I don’t think any of the other labor groups can understand how much we gave to save this Company. However, I am sure you understand, and I am also confident Mr. Parker understands.
In return for giving this Company pay and concessions, we signed a promissory note. No more than a piece of paper, really. Unless, one event, just one, triggers the Company to make good on this note. We didn’t know if this event was ever going to occur. Yes, We speculated it would, but so did the Company speculate that it was a good deal. And now, seven years later, still working as the lowest paid pilots in the industry, I would have to agree. So, to quote Mr. Wilder, our (so called)expert negotiator, “Now is the time.” Not, of course for what I believe he meant, but instead, now is the time for us to collect!
So tell me Gary Hummell, Why, do you want to tear it up and give Mr. Parker the opportunity to not make good on this promissory note. Let me guess. You think we will all profit and live happily ever after. I don’t think so. You think Mr. Parker is going to make us a part of the largest airline in the world. Think again. Maybe you believe and are buying into the crap spewing from Jerry Glass’s pie hole. None of this could be further from the truth.
What I read and see in this MOU is smaller airplanes, specifically E190’s, probably well north of 31. Shrinking the combined airline with no min fleet, because they can and will. And, of course, lower pay for the balance of many of our careers.
Let’s be realistic about this. If Parker was truly an Airline Executive, with the emphasis on Airline, over the last 7 years he would have capitalized on the lower labor costs that he knew he had and that WE have provided him. I personally have no grand illusion of him ever trying to retain the 15 seconds of fame as the CEO of the largest Airline in the world (If he ever gets to hold that position). Remember, He left two larger airlines to go to a smaller regional size carrier, America West. Did He do that to have America West grow to a major, much larger airline, or did He do it for personal wealth? I think the answer is quite clear when looking at where our fleet size is now compared to seven years ago. Let me just say this; In my 28 years here, I’ve seen at least 8 CEO’s come in and then leave, all far wealthier than even their wildest imagination would allow. Multi millionaires! I can name only two that are worthy of any respect.
And finally, the latest, most recent action by some also speaks volumes of what type of people we are dealing with. Reminds me of the story about a little boy, who got mad at the playground because no one would just let him win and so instead he took his ball and went home.
