ASA ramp VP gets canned!

[Airboss]

From Bryan Lebreque's memo

Carmine Testa has advised me of his decision to leave ASA to pursue other professional opportunities. Carmine joined ASA in 2004, after a 28-year career with Delta Air Lines. During his tenure with ASA,his dedication, commitment and leadership have helped us to navigate our way through the transition
from Delta ownership to SkyWest, Inc. ownership and the challenges associated with significant increases in the size and scope of our Atlanta operation. We all appreciate the many contributions Carmine has made to ASA and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Anthony DiNota, currently VP – Maintenance and Engineering, will assume new responsibilities as he transitions to serve as ASA’s VP – Atlanta Airport. Under Anthony’s leadership, our Maintenance organization and programs have become the envy of many of our fellow regional operators. We expect Anthony’s positive attitude and his leadership acumen will enable us to gain this same type of recognition in our Atlanta Airport operation. In this new role, Anthony will have overall responsibility for Atlanta, including customer service, employee relations, operational performance and ongoing facility and technology improvements. Anthony is a 22-year aviation industry veteran, who began his career in 1984 as an aircraft fueling attendant. During his career, Anthony has been promoted to positions of increasing management responsibility. He joined ASA in his current position in the Maintenance organization in 2001.​

 

[goahead]

Yup, but they promote another dude that's been here and watched this joke of an operation. Might be a new person but still the same ole problems will exist.

 

[atrdriver]

The really scary part is that you READ memos from BL...

 

[Airboss]

I ran out of toilet paper, and didn't want to run to the store.

 

[ASARJMan]

Yup, but they promote another dude that's been here and watched this joke of an operation. Might be a new person but still the same ole problems will exist.

And I think, not sure, that this new guy is ex-Delta too. SB (ex-DAL) promoted BL (ex-DAL) who is now promoting ex-Delta people. It fu#@&d-up Delta, CMR, and now ASA. Maybe someday JA will see this, or else JA agreed to this as a condition of purchasing ASA. Regardless, this new guy won't change a thing about the ATL ramp. Been this way way too long.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[John Pennekamp]

Looks like the rats are continuing to jump overboard.

Seriously, though, why does management always "resign to pursue other career opportunities" while workers get "fired"? How can management expect labor to respect them and take them seriously when they constantly remind us that they are better than us?

 

[jegermeister]

It's pretty bad when even the head ramper only lasts 2 years.

 

[ReportCanoa]

It also looks very bad when you move the head of engineering to run the ramp. Apparently, he's done such a good job there, so they've decided to move him.

This place gets stranger every day. There must be something in the coffee at the G.O.

 

[Medeco]

Someone had to take the fall for the poor ramp service.

Do you think BL would quit? Of course not.


In all fairness, the new guy in this position has done a fantastic job in MTC, and we do have a great MTC department. MTC and FLIGHT Training are the only good things going at ASA.

I'm willing to give the guy a chance. It really depends on if he has the power to do any house cleaning under him.

Guys, pretty much every company out there will promote from within, ASA is no different, and this guy has a proven track record of better than average.

Medeco

 

[ASARJMan]

Someone had to take the fall for the poor ramp service. Do you think BL would quit? Of course not.

Don't forget that BL ran the ramp when Skippy was here. BL did such an outstanding job (cough cough) he got promoted to the Pres! Of course, being ex-Delta management didn't have anything to do with it. nahhhhhhhhh!

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[79%N1]

Nothing will change.....and while I'm at it, where is all these changes BL promised in the now famous letter???? I guess just saying you are changing things is enough to satisfy the big boys at Delta! Where are the crew of 3 at every T spot? Where is all this new ground equipment, ie. AC and Air carts??? I have seen NOT ONE CHANGE!!!! In fact, we waited for over 1 hour and 3 AC carts before they could find one that works!! Not one change has taken place, furthering my contention that ASA is an absolute joke!

 

[TOOL CRIB]

Nothing will change.....and while I'm at it, where is all these changes BL promised in the now famous letter???? I guess just saying you are changing things is enough to satisfy the big boys at Delta! Where are the crew of 3 at every T spot? Where is all this new ground equipment, ie. AC and Air carts??? I have seen NOT ONE CHANGE!!!! In fact, we waited for over 1 hour and 3 AC carts before they could find one that works!! Not one change has taken place, furthering my contention that ASA is an absolute joke!

One change I would notice is if you were to quit. Then you can go complain to someone else. You're a broken record dude.

 

[atrdriver]

I'm willing to give the guy a chance. It really depends on if he has the power to do any house cleaning under him.

They have never given anyone authority to actually change things, why would that change with him?

As far as how he did in MTC, is he the one giving the orders "Go out there and defer that..."??? Not figure out what is wrong with it, but defer it?

 

[ASARJMan]

One change I would notice is if you were to quit. Then you can go complain to someone else. You're a broken record dude.

Well dude, screen him/her out and then you won't have to read his/her "broken records".........DUDE!

VOTED IN FAVOR! ...DUDE!

 

[Medeco]

They have never given anyone authority to actually change things, why would that change with him?

As far as how he did in MTC, is he the one giving the orders "Go out there and defer that..."??? Not figure out what is wrong with it, but defer it?

Ok first of all, I am not a management tool or GO dude.

But in fairness, the MTC job is to get/keep the plane flying. If there truly is no time to fix something and they have relief from the MEL then they have every responsibility to keep the plane flying.

We rarely have planes flying around with multiple deferrals that are passed on till the expiration date. Overall our fleet is well maintained for its size.

We as pilots have an interest in this place not losing its contract with Delta and completion factor is a big part of that.

As for the changes on the ramp, I have seen alot of new green vest walking around, the problem is keeping them around and keeping them from being corrupted by the senior guys/gals that dont give a SH!t. Again in fairness, the "changes" promised overnight. I recall the "sorry" memo from BL saying it would be the end of October before things were close to fully staffed.

Im just as frustrated as the next guy, and I dont have a lot of optimisim for ASA ramp improvement, but I hate to see you guys throwing bombs like this when it really shows the lack of thought you put into your blanket statements.

It does make us all sound like the whining pilots every management tool thinks we are.

Medeco

 

[601Pilot]

Nothing will change.....and while I'm at it, where is all these changes BL promised in the now famous letter???? I guess just saying you are changing things is enough to satisfy the big boys at Delta! Where are the crew of 3 at every T spot? Where is all this new ground equipment, ie. AC and Air carts??? I have seen NOT ONE CHANGE!!!! In fact, we waited for over 1 hour and 3 AC carts before they could find one that works!! Not one change has taken place, furthering my contention that ASA is an absolute joke!

So true!

 

[ASADriver]

Ok first of all, I am not a management tool or GO dude.

But in fairness, the MTC job is to get/keep the plane flying. If there truly is no time to fix something and they have relief from the MEL then they have every responsibility to keep the plane flying.

We rarely have planes flying around with multiple deferrals that are passed on till the expiration date. Overall our fleet is well maintained for its size.

We as pilots have an interest in this place not losing its contract with Delta and completion factor is a big part of that.

As for the changes on the ramp, I have seen alot of new green vest walking around, the problem is keeping them around and keeping them from being corrupted by the senior guys/gals that dont give a SH!t. Again in fairness, the "changes" promised overnight. I recall the "sorry" memo from BL saying it would be the end of October before things were close to fully staffed.

Im just as frustrated as the next guy, and I dont have a lot of optimisim for ASA ramp improvement, but I hate to see you guys throwing bombs like this when it really shows the lack of thought you put into your blanket statements.

It does make us all sound like the whining pilots every management tool thinks we are.

Medeco

I agree Medeco. The ramp needs fixing, and hopefully this will be the ticket. Don't agree with anything management does however if you don't want the ALPA types to label you as a "management tool". Some of these guys will never be happy.

 

[ASADriver]

79% and 601, if things are so bad, and if things will never change, WHY are you still both here? Not too smart on your part!

 

[ReportCanoa]

No, it isn't smart to stick around here.

 

[ASARJMan]

79% and 601, if things are so bad, and if things will never change, WHY are you still both here? Not too smart on your part!

Why are you still here asaDrivel? With that 737 type SWA ought to be seeking your services one would think.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Why are you still here asaDrivel? With that 737 type SWA ought to be seeking your services one would think.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

Yeah, he already tried that one. Didn't work out and now he must daily reaffirm to himself, "I am happy at ASA. I am happy at ASA...." so he doesn't feel like too big a failure.

 

[atlcrjdriver]

Nothing will change.....and while I'm at it, where is all these changes BL promised in the now famous letter???? I guess just saying you are changing things is enough to satisfy the big boys at Delta! Where are the crew of 3 at every T spot? Where is all this new ground equipment, ie. AC and Air carts??? I have seen NOT ONE CHANGE!!!! In fact, we waited for over 1 hour and 3 AC carts before they could find one that works!! Not one change has taken place, furthering my contention that ASA is an absolute joke!

I've seen some of the changes at C and D concourse. For the past two weeks doing 3 day trips in/out of ATL the only parking delay was due to ATC and ramp congestion. The new rampers must be coming out of class. Also I've seen the new electros, bag belts and a/c carts. Youmust have just been having a bad day.

Fly Safe...

 

[ASADriver]

I've seen some of the changes at C and D concourse. For the past two weeks doing 3 day trips in/out of ATL the only parking delay was due to ATC and ramp congestion. The new rampers must be coming out of class. Also I've seen the new electros, bag belts and a/c carts. Youmust have just been having a bad day.

Fly Safe...

I've seen the changes also. Actually I've seen more postive changes in the past 2 weeks on the ramp, then I have seen from ALPA.

 

[ASARJMan]

I've seen the changes also. Actually I've seen more postive changes in the past 2 weeks on the ramp, then I have seen from ALPA.

Of course you have asaDrivel! You allow the company to blow so much sunshine up your arse you're like those followers of Jim Jones.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[atrdriver]

But in fairness, the MTC job is to get/keep the plane flying. If there truly is no time to fix something and they have relief from the MEL then they have every responsibility to keep the plane flying.

Back when I was on the ATR, I called in a landing light. The mechanic came out to defer it. He went through 10 minutes of paperwork and calling in stuff, and I asked him how long ti would have taken him to just replace the bulb. He said about 5 minutes, but they told him to defer it, not replace it.

About 1 month ago they were trying to get me to take a 50 with a deferred APU. We were having other problems, and the mechanic told me that he could replace the starter in about 20 minutes, which is what was wrong with the APU, and we had one in stock, but they wouldn't let him do it.

The last trip I did we went through 6 aircraft, and each and every one had at least 1 deferral. The last one we had had 6.

Yes, I believe that the mechanics do all they can. I don't believe, however that the managers in mtc really care about keeping the airplanes fixed, they just care about keeping them flying.

 

[ASADriver]

Of course you have asaDrivel! You allow the company to blow so much sunshine up your arse you're like those followers of Jim Jones.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

You mean like those that jump when ALPA says to jump?

 

[ASARJMan]

You mean like those that jump when ALPA says to jump?

Yeah ASADrivel, now you're catching on to us ALPA forever lovers! Good for you man!

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[Medeco]

The last trip I did we went through 6 aircraft, and each and every one had at least 1 deferral. The last one we had had 6.

Yes, I believe that the mechanics do all they can. I don't believe, however that the managers in mtc really care about keeping the airplanes fixed, they just care about keeping them flying.

What were the 6 deferrals on that ship? Just curious.


They have a job to do and so do we, if the plane is not safe to fly then dont fly it. If the plane has MEL relief then you dont have much you can do and they are not doing anything wrong for trying to keep it flying.

I just hate coming on here and seeing a bunch of poorly thought out post, that represent ASA pilots.

We at ASA have swallowed the bitter pill for so long that many of us just complain non stop, even when something positive has happened in front of us.

BL's latest memo on FLICA spelled out several positive things that have happened recently at ASA, and I agree that the company has made an effort to appease us. The problem is, much of what he has done has only brought us even to SKYWEST on those particular issues he mentions. We should have never had to ask or fight for those things to begin with. And the company has a number of other issues to get up to speed on before Im satisfied.

Just remember guys, to think before you type.

Also, the company has convinced many of the ANTI-ALPA guys that we are not going to get anything great, and "hey look at what we have done to appease ALPA" to the point that it appears that the comapny has made huge strides and ALPA just keeps on asking for more. When the reality is ASA is far below the mark in basic airline pilot contracts and employee relations.

Medeco

 

[Tomct]

Why are you still here asaDrivel? With that 737 type SWA ought to be seeking your services one would think.

VOTED IN FAVOR!

:laugh:NO...they realized what a @SS he REALLY IS!! That's why he is STILL here!

 

[Tomct]

I've seen some of the changes at C and D concourse. For the past two weeks doing 3 day trips in/out of ATL the only parking delay was due to ATC and ramp congestion. The new rampers must be coming out of class. Also I've seen the new electros, bag belts and a/c carts. Youmust have just been having a bad day.

Fly Safe...

Well maybe if we all drank/ate the Kool-Aid and SH!T sandwich you do....EVERYTHING at ASA is just WOOOOONDERFUL!!!(SARCASM!)