Your welcome. I have never flown the MD, but it does have a bad safety record, that is every where. FedEx has lost a couple. The nose gear problem was unfortunate, but as far as the information I have, which is not official, everyone tried to do their job, but it happened.
As far as the Houston thing goes, well, I was there in SDF that evening. I was about inches from being on that flight. I talked to the Capt right before he walked out the door. I know the FO, and have talked to him. I have often thought that could have been me.
No one, and I mean NO ONE in the operation from the top down blamed that accident on the crew, infact, it is the primary reason we now operate out of IAH.
There are always pressure on everyone, managers, mechanics, dispatchers, and the pilots to make service. It is the untimate responsibility of the crew, the Captain, to make sure that in the end the process can be done safely. The dispatchers play a very important role here, but ultimately, I have to sign the release and accept the aircraft.
Most people who comment on the ability/judgement of a pilots actions after the incident/accident fail to remember that the first person on the scene of the accident is the crew. The risk to us is real, and frankly, we appreciate everyone who contibutes to the process of getting us home safely each day.
I do this for a living, I'm working on my 6000 hr flying UPS aircraft, and I can not statistically afford to ignore the hazards or take unnecessary risk. I might have to make a decision that will affect service, maybe even not make it at all. The problem with relating that decision to management or ground personal, is that making service is their single mission, not mine. I must always make my decisions based on the collective knowledge of myself, my crew, and my support from ops, you guys. My primary decision is "can this operation be completed safely". Excluding the input of the dispatchers and mechanics, everyone else is focused on service, not safety.
My decision must always put safety above service, it is a very unique position. I have to do this every day at work. That is the job.
With almost 9000 hours of flighttime, I do not approach my decision from a perspective of fear, but one of respect for this job/profession that is extremely unforgiving of mistakes and bad judgement. Even if I make my decisions from this perspective, and an accident still happens. Everything I did or said will be analyzed and judged from a safety standpoint, not service. Dead or alive, I will be judged.
Maybe that is why we are considered arrogant. I don't know, I try my hardest everyday at work to approach all interactions with my fellow employees and supervisors with a sense of humbleness, but in the end it is my ass, and that of the crew who puts their trust in me. I try to explain to all others, even those who disagree with my decisions that this is the job you entrusted me with, and I get paid to make these decisions.
I try every day to make the system work. I work everyday to make it safe. I have to do this for almost 20 more years.
I don't think the pilots are heros, or above anyone here, but we are given great responsibility and I find it frustrating arguing with people who are singuarly focused on money, about justifying my compensation.
Unfortuately, I have become cynical enough about my employment here to believe that I and the IPA are the only ones with me and mine(my families) best interests at heart. We want guarantees of a livable schedule, we want support and facilities equal to that of our peers at FedEx, and yes, we want compensation for the skills and experience we bring to the company. Exactly how much, well, there lies the negotiations.
I appreciate all your work, and patience in this process. I'm sure I have probably talked to you over the radio or directly in the past years.
As for the others who, for their own personal reasons of monetary gain, who would make the pilots out as the enemy, well, that has been the problem from the moment I step out of the training center as a FE here. You always considered us the enemy, outsiders, not worthy of integrity or honor. No pilot gets hired at UPS angry or cyncial, we become that way here.
This job has been and continues to be a great blessing, but I am no man's servant. I do not survive by your leave, nor does my family. Am I worried about our future here, HELL YES, but I have every confidence both morally and mentally, that I am standing on the "right" side of this confrontation.
Here is my question for management. How did 2600 people of very diverse backgrounds and experience become so unified in their defiance? Are we brain washed? No, you made us this way. You could replace us all, and continue you current attitude and policies of placing your dividends above our health, safety and yes, compensation, and you will find your self exactly in the same place 10 years from now. That is my humble opinion.
I don't hate UPS, not at all. Do I love UPS, no, it is a corporation, it has no ability to love me back. I reserve love for that which has the ability to return love.
BrownBusDriver,
A humble A300 Captain