pilots

Tag Archives for pilots.

American Airlines Pilot Union Trying To Cover For Crew In New York Near-Disaster

by Gary Leff on January 21, 2023

Jan 21 2023

On January 13, an American Airlines Boeing 777 headed to London taxied on the wrong runway as a Delta 737 began its take off roll. This was nearly a disaster of epic proportions, as the American jet crossed right in front of Delta, and the Delta plane hit the brakes.

The Delta flight stopped less than 1000 feet from where it would have intersected with American’s plane. The transatlantic 777 didn’t follow air traffic control instructions. It nearly caused a disaster. And now the Allied Pilots Association is running interference in the media.

Now That The Meltdown Is Over, Here’s What Southwest’s Pilots Have To Say

by Gary Leff on December 31, 2022

Dec 31 2022

The Southwest Airlines pilot union sent its members a note in the aftermath of their airline’s meltdown, diagnosing the core issues and challenges at the company. It’s a mix of correct analysis and hobby horses.

Tom Nekouei, 2nd Vice President of SWAPA, mostly dumps on former CEO Gary Kelly, who retired early in 2022, and correctly flags that the company has deferred technology investment for decades.

New United Airlines Pilot Union Head Resigns In Days For Homophobic And Misogynistic Comments

by Gary Leff on December 22, 2022

Dec 22 2022

Captain Neil Swindells was elected to head the United Airlines pilot union in a controversial and close vote, where members of the group’s Master Executive Council tried to shut down discussion of his homophobic, misogynistic, and anti-Semitic online commentary.

I wrote, though, that he was unable to represent all of his pilot members equally. And this wasn’t just an internal pilot issue – the head of the pilot union gets a board seat at United Airlines. He was clearly unable to represent shareholders, either.

The New Head Of The United Airlines Pilots Union Must Resign Immediately

by Gary Leff on December 20, 2022

Dec 20 2022

The Air Line Pilots Association negotiated a new contract with the airline. Seeing pilots at other airlines getting more than they had negotiated they ripped up the agreement rather than sending it to their members. And many United pilots now want a fight with the airline.

But just-elected Captain Neil Swindells is the wrong person to lead them, because he cannot represent the full membership of his union with racist and misogynistic commentary.

United Airlines Pilots Literally Turn Their Back On Scott Kirby When He Showed Up To Speak With Them

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2022

Dec 08 2022

It wasn’t surprising to see Kirby personally go down to meet picketing pilots during the airline’s board meeting in Houston. And it was a terrible look to see those pilots turn their backs on the CEO. And then for the union to brag about it!

How The Big Airline Pilots Union Misleads You For Their Own Gain

by Gary Leff on November 23, 2022

Nov 23 2022

For years the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the major pilots union, has lobbied for federal rules that make it difficult to become a pilot. Fewer pilots keeps wages high, and gives unions leverage during contract negotiations – they can’t just be replaced if they strike (or if an airline were to lock them out). But with a shortage of pilots, some of those rules have come under scrutiny.

American Airlines Pilot Negotiations Turn Nasty In Public

by Gary Leff on November 4, 2022

Nov 04 2022

American Airlines pilots negotiated a contract, but the union voted against sending it to its membership for a vote. Now they’re back in the media negotiating in public, saying that the airline’s failure to pay them enough, and improve their schedules enough, is why flights get cancelled. Even though that isn’t true.

Pilots Union Goal: Make Sure There’s A Pilot Shortage, Keep People From Becoming Pilots

by Gary Leff on September 18, 2022

Sep 18 2022

The government makes it difficult to become a pilot. And the government pushes pilots out while they’re still able to work. This is done in the name of safety, but has little to do with safety.

Instead it is rent-seeking by pilots unions who want to limit the number of pilots. And they want to limit the ability of airlines to fill pilot jobs quickly. Both of those give them tremendous leverage in contract negotiations with airlines. When there aren’t enough pilots, pilots earn more money.

American Airlines About To Get Pilots Contract? Some In The Cockpit Are Furious

by Gary Leff on September 5, 2022

Sep 05 2022

American Airlines pilots know they’re going to get well paid in a new contract. The company has publicly offered a 17% raise. They want 20%, and changes to work rules that (among other things) keep the airline from altering their schedules and leaving them without lodging on the road. United’s pilot union agreed to a deal offering a 14% raise, but when they heard about what American’s pilots were on the verge of getting – and unwilling to take – they backed out of the deal wanting what American was getting.

Some pilots – including union leaders – are furious with what they appear on the verge of settling for.

Southwest Airlines Pilot: ‘I Used To Be Liberal, Then I Left Home And Got A Job’

by Gary Leff on August 26, 2022

Aug 26 2022

Last year pilots were making announcements “Let’s Go Brandon” and that made it into air traffic control chatter too. I thought this had died out, and was now being crowded out by the counter Dark Brandon meme but pilots are still bringing their politics on board with them.

Here’s a Southwest Airlines pilot with a “I used to be liberal / Then I left home and got a job” sticker on his bag.

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