United Pilots Vote to Authorize Strike

I'm posting this here instead of the travel forum because many people fly on United (and partner *A carriers) for European Delivery.

United Continental Pilots Vote to Strike

By Paul Riegler

Pilots at United Continental voted almost unanimously to approve a strike. Almost 94% of the membership of the pilots union took part in the vote and 99% voted to withdraw their services if required.

The pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association union and a strike must also be authorized by federal mediators.

United and Continental merged in 2010 but the pilots, despite two years of negotiations, are not yet …

This has been coming for some time and could get ugly. I fly UA a lot (more than 180K miles annually) and have prepared for this by accepting AA's status match to Exec Plat for 1K's.

Dick

Just another reason you don't fly UA. Previously, it announced that it wouldn't allow infants and their parents to board first.

The subject line is deceptive. The pilots have NOT voted to strike. They have voted to authorize a strike if required. This is a technical step followed by unions, and does not in and of itself mean there will be a strike - they're getting their ducks in a row so they can strike if/when it becomes necessary.

Now, if a strike would help bring down Smisek, I'm all for it!!

Originally Posted by milepig

the subject line is deceptive. The pilots have not voted to strike. They have voted to authorize a strike if required. This is a technical step followed by unions, and does not in and of itself mean there will be a strike - they're getting their ducks in a row so they can strike if/when it becomes necessary.

now, if a strike would help bring down smisek, i'm all for it!!

+1






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As a faithful [pre-merger] UA flyer, I've been pretty disgusted with the changes "that I'm going to like" over the past few months. I'm barely going to qualify for 2P if I continue my trend towards other carriers. Granted, I'm not GS, but they really haven't scratched my back at all, so why should I scratch theirs?

Bring Glenn back!

Originally Posted by 323power

As a faithful [pre-merger] UA flyer, I've been pretty disgusted with the changes "that I'm going to like" over the past few months. I'm barely going to qualify for 2P if I continue my trend towards other carriers. Granted, I'm not GS, but they really haven't scratched my back at all, so why should I scratch theirs?

Bring Glenn back!

+1. That's why I took my useless 1K MM self over to AA, and now I'm Exec Plat and wondering why it took me so long.

Smisek is a loser. It's time to cut that sweet talking, make-up caked face out of there and get somebody in who can make it a decent airline. He's essentially removed the good that both carriers had separately and combined it into a meaningless company which has no value proposition anymore.

Gee, this sounds a lot like the Delta / Northwest whining.

Face it folks, the gold old days are over.

Cheers

Originally Posted by X3 Skier

Face it folks, the gold old days are over.

Not so fast. By being able to go bankrupt, Delta now has much newer planes with better seats (long haul). Their service has also improved. United probably as well. And the laggard - AA.

My wife probably will make EXP this year with AA - not much choice being based out of DFW. I like UA's international network of partners best out of the 3 major networks.

The airlines have struggled a long while and I cannot blame the employees. UA does indeed have great Int'l partners. Hope there can be an early resolution.

Rumor has it that a USAir/AA merger will remove USAirways from Star Alliance....which is UA's network, which would make me one VERY unhappy traveler. Also rumor...but I overheard while pilot was chatting on phone...USAir pilots calling for strike near holidays. Perhaps the word "authorize" was used. I understand govt regs make it difficult to shut down airlines with strikes.

Originally Posted by mason

Just another reason you don't fly UA. Previously, it announced that it wouldn't allow infants and their parents to board first.

Not defending United but with state of the current US airline industry in general, there are plenty of reasons not to fly any given carrier!

Trouble is we don't have much choice (with the exception of international routes).

Virgin America - a fantastic airline imho.

domestically - JetBlue all the way. Pretty much gave up delta plat 5x in a row and now on jetblue.

Originally Posted by Loganradio

.but I overheard while pilot was chatting on phone...USAir pilots calling for strike near holidays.

Interesting....I wonder if they are still trying to figure out the East/West seniority or do they feel threatened by the AA seniority list? I'll keep my eyes on this one. So far, US has quietly fared the best out of all of the post-merger UA defectors.

Originally Posted by vmcvey

+1






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+1