Continental Airlines cancel 21 flights today.

[dgibby]

MSNBC reporting that flights were cancelled due to pilots calling in sick.

[Brickbat]

1. Contract talks are behind schedule, IIRC.

Pilots are just flexing their muscles, I'd guess.

[av8rdave]

2. Sounds like someone isn't staffing their reserves correctly

The other possibilities, given the history of airline management in this country:

1. The cancellations are for other operational reasons, and the airline is blaming their pilots (one of AA's favorite tools).

2. The airline is failing to live up to a contractual provision and the pilots are protesting.

3. A facet of the United/Continental merger is being improperly implemented.

4. There are a bunch of people who are sick. Before accepting command of a flight, the Captain is required to sign a legal statement: "I consider all factors including my own physical condition satisfactory for this flight." Both the airline and union policies are to NOT fly if you don't feel 100%. Normally, on the airline side of the equation, this policy is lip service only, as airline managers typically view any type of sick leave as abuse.

[dgibby]

3. Wonder if it has anything to do with the Repbulicans

refusal to fund the FAA.

[av8rdave]

6. Probably not, as that would cause the cancellation scenario to be more widespread than just CAL

That is, however, a realistic scenario in the near future!

[malaise]

4. If I were a pillot I too would be sick

Fuck all ReTHUGS - you don't shut down the FAA

[dgibby]

5. I wouldn't blame them one bit if that's the real reason.

I think they should all walk-send the repukes a message that they're tired of the stupid games.

[av8rdave]

7. Trouble is, when it happens, those pricks on the right will be blaming Obama and the Democrats!

It's been a pretty successful play for them in the past.

[dgibby]

9. That goes without saying.

Everything is the fault of the Dems according to the repukes. We need to learn to frame the debate before they do, not have to play defense afterwards. We really suck at framing. It's one of the main reasons they're always mopping the floor with us.

[av8rdave]

11. We SO need to learn the art of labeling and message control

We need look no further than the right - they are the experts at both.

Especially labeling.

This message sent by a tree hugging, pro-soccer mom, pro-feminazi, bleeding heart, bed wetting, nanny state socialist liberal.

There....how was that?

Oh...almost forgot moonbat.

:hi:

[dgibby]

12. Don't forget "dirty hippy".

I'm particularly fond of that one.:hippie: :hi:

[av8rdave]

15. sigh...knew I forgot something

That's a good one!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I suspect the UA/CAL merger isn't going well

regarding seniority integration issues.

Or else their scheduling department sucks and they are blaming the pilots.

[av8rdave]

10. The word we're getting...

from our flight ops people is that it isn't going well at all. I don't even know how far into the list integration process they are, but they are having other difficulties integrating just about everything.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. I hear the same things

from the north end of the operation. UA has had horrible labor relations problems for years. Can't imagine any of this happening easily.

[av8rdave]

14. I guess I'm technically part of the North end of the operation now

Been working out of DTW - and liking it a lot!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

16. The FAA Is shut down as well, they are in charge of safety.