Under Pressure After Derogatory Posts, United Pilot Leader Steps Down After Just 48 Hours

Under Pressure After Derogatory Posts, United Pilot Leader Steps Down After Just 48 Hours

Greg Swindells stepped down after just 48 hours as leader of the United ALPA chapter. The controversial former leader of the United Airlines pilots stepped down late Wednesday after just two days on the job, dislodged by a series of derogatory texts he had written about women and minorities. Shortly after 11 p. m. ET Wednesday, the United master executive council posted a letter from Neil Swindells, who offered his resignation as chairman of the United chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents United's 15, 000 pilots. "He was pressured," said a United pilot who asked not to be named. "There was overwhelming pilot feedback to their representatives, and under pressure he resigned." The negative feedback included a letter writing campaign. Also under pressure was Wendy Morse, chairperson of the Chicago United ALPA chapter, who had nominated Swindells to be chairman, pilots said. Morse is slated to take office as national vice president of ALPA next month. "Even (Swindells') supporters flipped on him," said another pilot who asked not to be named. "They realized it would be bad for them." For the moment, Mike Harrison, the vice chairman of United ALPA, becomes interim chairman. He is a Dulles-based