Ah, Doug - ever the man of balance. Whether 'experienced' pilots (I take it that means you) take my words with a large pinch of salt is entirely up to them (you?). I am always up for informed discussion and try to have a balanced view of things - but there again, why let the facts get in the way of a good rant? The first thing that puzzles me Doug is why on earth are you still working for easyJet? You hate the company with a passion and will go to extraordinary lengths to play your part in its downfall.
The current situation that is causing you such delight is us having insufficient pilots (particularly captains) for the summer. No doubt this has come about because of management ineptitude, and you are the leader of the pack in calling for 'punishment' of our management by making easyJet unable to crew its flights at our most profitable time of year. That attitude seems to me similar to finding yourself as a crew member on a cross channel ferry that has just collided with another ship because the captain was asleep in his cabin and is now taking on water. Do you then decide to let the ship sink to show the captain how bad he really is or do you help to man the pumps to save the ship? Common sense to me says that it would be in your interest to save the ship and wait till later to sort out the captain. Apparently not! Let's all sit back and watch a catastrophe unfold so that Cor and his mates get fired. I am a simple soul when it comes to this sort of thing. I actually want to see easyJet customers getting on the flights they booked and not have them go elsewhere.
One of the other accusations you make is that I have no backbone and that when push come to shove I back down. How exactly would that manifest itself? Do you want me to sabotage an aircraft or maybe find a hydraulic leak on the walkround to delay a flight? Perhaps even go sick at the last moment to stop the flight going? That would show them we mean business. Get real Doug - you are an increasingly sad figure whose obsessive rants against easyJet are just irrational. I have made it clear again and again that I would back industrial action at the right time for the right issue. Specifically, I would have gone on strike against the current FO contracts had the opportunity been offered. I have argued publicly with Cor both at Gatwick and at the SEP day - I can tell you that in both cases there were precious few others willing to do so. I will back any credible plan to improve pilots' terms and conditions. What I will not do is act irresponsibly to bring the company down in times of need. Right now, it is in every single pilot's interest that we crew every flight we can over the summer - only a fool can think otherwise. There will be plenty of time for recriminations - that should not prevent us from acting in our own best interests and ensuring the company can operate safely and successfully.
You need to leave easyJet soonest mate - let me recommend a particularly fine option. In today's Flight there is an advert from A320 Captains working for Safi Airways. They would be delighted to give you a job I am sure. And after you have worked for them for 6 months, come back and tell us all how great it is. You know they will pay you so much more, give you such a great roster and so much time off. You owe it to yourself - get a real job rather than a naff one like easyJet. And do you know the amazing thing Doug? There are literally hundreds of people queuing up to take your job if you leave. Maybe they are all berks just like me.