Perspectives on United’s Lawsuit against Pilots

On July 30, United Airlines filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and a group of UA pilots for allegedly abusing sick-time.

Holly Hegeman at PlaneBuzz.com offers some perspectives on the allegations.

[B]ased on conversations we were having with folks close to the situation, and comments from subscribers, it was pretty obvious that a situation was developing at United that resembled, in many aspects, the showdown between pilots and management at Northwest Airlines last summer.

… if you have pilots who refuse to pick up extra flying, along with higher than normal sick time calls, and you’ve got flying schedules maxed out because of summer schedules — all the ingredients are there for an opportunity to force the airline into flight cancellations.

According to various news reports, United officials say talks between the airline and its pilots’ union broke off last week before the airline filed the lawsuit. The Pilot’s contend that United appears intent on driving down standards for pilots. This seems to be par for the course, with United, as we’ve reported previously on How Was Your Flight. Ms. Hegeman posted an email she received from APLA’s Master Executive Council that may give insight into the pilots’ side.

To summarize, United’s managers will force pilots to work extra days with longer hours, they will bully pilots to prove their non-fitness to fly at their own expense, they will attempt to take away pass travel for you and your family, they will attempt to diminish Captain’s authority, they will take away United mainline flying and give it away to Express, and then they will either furlough you or surplus you at the end of the season.

Click HERE to read Ms. Hegeman’s post.

photo credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas