USAPA
PHL Domicile Update
July 18, 2008
IT’S WHAT THEY DO
NOT WHAT THEY SAY
Fellow pilots,
On Wednesday, July 16th we held our first USAPA Domicile meeting. The minutes of the meeting will be forthcoming but we feel that an update on some topics is needed.
Holding of the first PHL USAPA Domicile meeting was a monumental event, but an even larger unprecedented event in our pilots' history also took place while our meeting was in session. On the 16th of July, while our meeting was in progress, two of our fellow pilots were put at the “tip of the spear†and ordered to submit to a “training†session in the simulator on “Fuel Conservation.â€
When we first were informed of this “training†session, we had and still do have, very strong objections. It is not covered in our contract, the AQP protocols, or any syllabus. We were told that we would be provided a syllabus for this individualized “training,“ but not until the hours of the evening before were we provided with this document. Thus, these pilots had little way of knowing what to expect and no time to prepare for their upcoming event.
That’s what was said and this is what was done!
We believed that we had an agreement with the Company that these pilots would be afforded the right to have a USAPA Representative present at their “training†event. However, at the 11th hour, the Company mandated that we sign a non-precedent setting waiver to our agreement to allow pilot representatives to observe these eight pilots' “training†sessions. This would have set a new precedent that would potentially disallow any representative from ever observing any future training event. Your union declined to sign this letter, as we had been allowed to observe previous training events in the past. For that matter, in past practice during a “training†event, spouses, children and even friends were allowed to observe as long as all parties in the simulator were OK with them being there. On the 16th, when one of your Reps showed up to observe the “training†event, he was denied access to both the briefing as well as the simulator.
That’s what was said and this is what was done!
This event consisted of a one hour brief, followed by a two hour simulator session. We were told that these pilots would be there to observe, and that in the simulator would be a Check Airman and an Instructor Pilot performing the demonstration. What actually occurred was that our pilots sat in the left seat and acted as the PM and did operate some controls. Some questions were asked and a lecture on airline economics was given.
That’s what was said and this is what was done!
A note about these Captains that have been called in at the point of a spear: These are fellow pilots and very senior ones at that. All they have done is to add more fuel to the gate release for any one of a thousand reasons. After all, they are the Captain of their aircraft and who better to know what is required to complete their flight in a safe and efficient manner? Unlike our management, it is:
What the Captain says and what the Captain does, matters!
Per the FOM section 1.3.4 the Captain has the final say and the operation will stop until he is satisfied.
We believe that this whole issue is about “Captain's Authority.“ Over the years we have seen that authority eroded and our contract become a joke and a non-issue to the Company. We have let that happen one small piece at a time. Now they are taking bigger bites. This will continue until we once again start reminding the Company that we are Professional Airline Captains.
It’s not what you say it’s what you do!
DO YOU want a contract that improves your lot in life?
DO YOU want to be a part of a proud profession once again?
Or do you want to be intimidated into getting out of the “green†and pushed into the “yellow†and “red†of the Company’s own Volant model and have your judgment and hours of experience be questioned?
Be a CAPTAIN and take command of your aircraft and carrier.
To finish our thoughts, look at what else has been said and what has been done. Mr. Parker said “yes, parity was the thing to do.†We’re still waiting! In the July issue of US Airways magazine from Mr. Parkers’ article, “An employee-fueled winning streakâ€, Mr. Parker states, “These kinds of results are indicative of the amazing teamwork and dedication of US Airways employees. It’s thanks to their hard work that we’ve become one of the most reliable carriers in the country. We think that recognizing our employees for focusing on what matters most to our customers - getting them to their destination safely and on time.â€
Mr. Parker has recognized eight of our most senior Captains for what matters most, getting our passengers to their destination safely, by subjecting them to a training session to intimidate them into reducing their margin of safety. What is next in line to challenge “Captain’s Authority?â€
IT’S WHAT THEY DO NOT WHAT THEY SAY!
BE A GOOD UNION PILOT
Doug Burke, Chairman
Roger Henriksson, Vice Chairman
Pete Dugstad, Vice Chairman
