Let me start by saying I fully support the pilots unions in taking a strong stance to ensure they are well compensated and properly trained for the immensely important job they do. I for one want the men and women flying the aircraft to be competent, trained, well paid, rested and happy...

My beef however is with pilots thinking that by mistreating their passengers they are scoring a victory against Smisek Yesterday flying from Newark to Frankfurt on CO50 not a SINGLE word was delivered from the flight deck, not a word. Call me old fashioned, but I find that plain rude, not to mention unprofessional. We hit some moderate turbulence mid-Atlantic. My wife is a nervous flyer and I know she for one would have appreciated hearing something over the PA.

This contrasts with the extremely warm, informative, welcoming communications on my connecting flights with Lufthansa. It makes me wonder why am I flying with UA/CO in the first place when the pilot in charge seems to think punishing his passengers (that he is responsible for) is a win! All it results in is loss - loss of confidence, loss of support and ultimately loss of customers. Maybe that's the aim, but it certainly will not make the lives of employees any easier.

My parents were primary school teachers (in Ireland) and active members of the teachers union. The teachers were successful in large part because they were popular and had the support of parents. UA/CO pilots could perhaps keep that in mind @:-)