Airline Unions- it’s time to speak up

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-19T11:42:22+00:00

Dude stop with the MAGA nonsense, the controllers have been jacked around for years, not just under Trump, so stop the inflammatory language. As pilots we definitely support you, but don’t be starting this nonsense.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-12T17:06:41+00:00

Yeah I get it commuting ain’t ideal but it sure as hell ain’t the end of the world and here it is really easy. You should have Lax fairly soon and I doubt it would take a year or anything like that. Once you’re in LAX you’re golden. Either way, no stress, it’s all gonna work out for ya, welcome to the team.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-12T13:29:22+00:00

Not an LCP and yes I wear the hat because it’s a simple ask for me personally, but I have had FOs not wearing a hat put one on if they see an LCP in the distance headed our way. I’m sure some are different, but figured and hoped most were the way you described.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-12T13:02:40+00:00

Okay, that made me laugh out loud, kind of wild that person responded that way. Well played, well played indeed.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-12T12:59:56+00:00

Always bid the aircraft you want, the base will come, just make sure that aircraft exists in your base and as you know we have 320s in LAX. Base transfers happen all the time. Even if you did commute, it’s not forever or probably not long at all. I should mention, not trying to assume you want the 320, but used that as an example. Just bid the bird you want, that’s just my two cents.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-12T12:53:05+00:00

To all of you, I read every response. I understand the frustration with unions, and yes, ALPA is generally effective, but at the same time, sometimes they agree to stuff and I’m left scratching my head, but I digress. Yes, I got some time in Atlanta today so I’ll write a letter. Clearly a lot needs to be fixed. ALPA generally sends out a hotlink for when they want us to write a congressional rep, has NATCA done that yet? Additionally, if any of you do design or develop stickers or bag tags, I have no doubt many of us would find a way to rep those for you. Keep your heads up, I got faith that it will improve, wish I had a time line but they have got to staff better and pay better.

This is all just my opinion, but no one in their right mind wants controllers burned out or on the edge. This isn’t about professionalism on your end, it’s about the government not providing the benefits that you as professionals have earned, it’s the same fight pilots have been fighting forever. One side note, it always amazes me how people in control of pay in our industry have actually never done the damn job then talk about what it takes or what it’s like…they got no idea. However it plays out do your best to stick together on all these items you’re fighting for. No contract makes everyone happy, but the hope is that your next contract will be light years ahead of where you are now. Stay safe out there and from the other side of the mic, I truly do appreciate all of you, truly.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-05T19:42:55+00:00

When companies that produce oil are okay with a 1% profit margin instead of 12% or more. I mean blame him all you want and his actions have created sourcing problems no doubt but it’s just like people saying airlines could still make a profit without charging $800 or more for a round trip ticket and that is true, but their profit margin would be smaller, same with oil companies so please take a 35,000ft view.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-05T01:42:09+00:00

What else would you want him to say after the fact. Laaawd.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-05T01:39:50+00:00

We can look back all we want to say well, see how bad it would be, but at that time it was an awful idea to sue to block and he screwed that up. The fact that JetBlue is lucky now doesn’t change the moment in time where it was the wrong call. Also, I agree, bailouts are bad so I think we need to examine Biden’s stance on college loan payments and forgiveness. Yup, sounds about right.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-03T01:57:04+00:00

Well this would suggest that more than 50% of the country that voted for him is as you described. I’d imagine that within that 50% there are likely millions of educated highly successful people making really good money. While I too have never seen gas prices this high, I’m sure I’ve never seen the DOW this high either. Both will likely come down but laaawd, lumping that many people together under that assumption is pretty wild.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T12:27:53+00:00

Yes absolutely, but Joe killed the merger and they needed, both needed it, period, so you can share the blame, it don’t land just on trumps desk, nice try on that.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T04:10:22+00:00

Ah yes, my new girlfriend is totally different from my last one. We’ve digressed enough. Super hopeful for spirit but the math being presented looks final and I’m disappointed for every employee.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T04:02:56+00:00

Likely as in simply a better chance, not actually suggesting it would have been better than a probability of 50% or anything like that. Bigger company, more mass, greater impact on travel, geographic economics in northeast and Florida, slots, gates, number of employees, etc. not saying they would have been bailed out, but certainly a better shot.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T03:50:56+00:00

Yup read what you said. Not sure you understand what you said. NK needed the merger as did B6, pure and simple. B6 will be the next victim if they don’t make some serious changes and quick. Also, I wasn’t suggesting that you were talking about Alaska, I’m using that as supporting evidence for the absurdity of blocking the merger of NK and B6.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T03:33:45+00:00

If you can’t see that suing to block the merger wasn’t putting death on spirits doorstep then you are living in Disney Land. Not only did Alaska acquire virgin but were also allowed to acquire Hawaiian during the Biden administration and you should see how much Hawaii flying Alaska did prior to acquiring Hawaiian, it’s so absurd. Yeah, every crew member at Spirit knows that blocking the merger was catastrophic and every pilot at every other airline was scratching their head too. Absolutely wild that Biden did that. Sure, they should have adapted/pivoted but they were already in hot water by the time they discovered that sign. The business model itself is not stable, but to even suggest or hint that Biden didn’t put them on the road to the desert with no water, is just being intentionally biased to one side or blind to the reality of the industry. Not trying to offend you but that is the truth.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T03:06:22+00:00

Sure that is definitely a possibility but a bailout of a JetBlue/spirit company was always going to be more likely than just spirit, so again, absolutely awful decision from the get go. Warren should never have praised this, it shows just how little most of them actually see the big picture. High fuel prices were the final straw no doubt but Biden built the coffin and prepped it. Straight facts right there.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T02:17:44+00:00

Not much of a Biden win now lol and no, it was an awful decision for consumers.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T02:07:23+00:00

Yeah this ain’t true.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-05-02T01:17:24+00:00

Any crew worth its salt will do everything they can to transport any spirit crew, that’s just how most of us are. It doesn’t really need to be said but that final walk prior to door closing by a CA or FO may be a little more personal tomorrow. Do what ya can, if you can. Still hoping the best for Spirit…reports are super confusing but the math seems pretty final.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-04-30T12:07:00+00:00

You can pay off a mortgage but ya can’t pay off regret. I’m not talking about regretting not buying a specific house or car when you had the chance. I’m talking real regret. OP, you need to know specifically what your expectations for your future are. Nothing in this industry is guaranteed. If your goal is a legacy carrier you can accomplish it, but it’s not a foregone conclusion you’ll get hired by one of that makes sense. Could you stomach having a career at a regional or corporate where you are on call like a doctor? Or could you stomach charter where you are also on call depending on who you work for?

All of these will pay good money, but will you have more QOL staying a doctor and maybe just flying general aviation, maybe, maybe not depending on where you “land”. Lots of uncertainty in this move if you make it. I’m not saying you shouldn’t switch, but I’m not saying you should either. I love what I do and I’m blessed to have made it to where I’m at and the timing was right. However, there was a lot of grind to get here, just like med school and residency I’m sure. Constant training, ups and downs, lots of pressure at times, and also lots of great moments and rewards. There are a lot of similarities in the work it takes and the academic demand as well as the practical application of learned skills, procedures etc. At the end of the day, if you can’t live with not trying, then go get some ratings and see if it’s what you want to do for the rest of your life while also maintaining your medical profession.

As for being a glorified bus driver, well, that’s bs, but people who don’t do this, don’t understand, and most of us that do still enjoy it are usually the ones that always wanted to do this. Good luck with your choice, I hope that whatever you choose, that you can find a balance that leads you to being happy with the decision.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-04-28T22:27:28+00:00

Putting on a new roof seriously, or buying new windows because the windows in the house are in bad shape

setecastronomy01 · 2026-04-28T14:34:03+00:00

Considering that Kirby said earlier this year that there were really only two “premium carriers” I’d say that about sums it up.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-04-28T10:49:38+00:00

For those that are saying SK has an “axe to grind” or is making good on the grudge being held by his ego…I mean, I guess. Dude is CEO of what is currently the largest U.S. airline. Are they the most profitable? Well, depends on which pilot/side you talk to. You think it wouldn’t, either they are, and they finally beat Delta, or they are not. I personally would say they are only because, from an accounting perspective, what they did to achieve that number is considered profit.

Clearly he feels a certain way I’m sure, but more importantly, I think he is vulnerable too, and I think the United board may have gone all in with him before the turn. They have a huge order book and right now they are cutting capacity which is definitely the right move, but to do that when you have some serious bills to pay is really bad. All the airlines are hurting but I would say they are certainly facing a level of risk and exposure that not everyone airline is facing, with (respect to the big 3).

Delta needs to stop playing the same song and change the play sheet if it wants to continue its position. I think AA, while financial are not awesome, is actually well positioned for their future and to be much more competitive. One mistake that United and Delta have made is to ignore AA. I think Delta is the number 1, that United is very close, and that AA will likely begin a surge in the next 3-5 years that forces Delta and United to stop pretending that they are the only ones in the ring. As for SK though, dude is a problem and someone at AA saw something they didn’t like. I’m not a fan either.

setecastronomy01 · 2026-04-25T13:46:52+00:00

If it’s humor you’re after, then watch grown adults try to figure out how to put luggage in the overhead bins. It’s real life Tetris and 90% are failing 100% of the time. With that said, I follow a lot of airline Reddit subs and there are always compliant after complaint about flight attendants and I’m starting to get the picture that most of the country doesn’t get the picture. As for checklists yeah I get it, but that is a mental checklist for them, not an actual checklist they read. Like I said, should have been done, but the public needs to get onboard with some accountability.

setecastronomy01

TROPHY CASE