ASA D-0 Flight Crew Babysitting

[John Pennekamp]

You are WRONG here! The FOM states in section 10-1.8 that "Flight Crew members are required to have a thorough knowledge of all applicable bulletins, memos and notices."

OK, that said...why is everyone getting so wrapped around the axel about this? The reason we are doing this "go to the gate, get the release and talk with the gate agent procedure" is because that is what delta does. It isn't a big deal...AND once we get all the jet bridges installed, it will be on the way. Walk down the concourse, stop at the counter to get release (and yes, COMMUNICATE with the agent while there), go to aircraft...if it needs something, call for it (which we have always done). Then if something is wrong, hold boarding, otherwise, board on time.

Not a big deal folks!

Spoken like a true ASA manager...

Key word: APPLICABLE.

And is ourASA email considered an official memo? I'm not even required to check ourASA unless it's a "priority message" and the union is even looking into that.

If it wasn't in my mailbox or the revisions file, it's not an official memo. Nice try, though.

And no, I'm not helping them out. I don't care what Delta does. I don't work for Delta! Why don't you people understand that? Why don't you just work for free? Go ahead and load the bags yourself too. Fuel the plane. Dump the lav. Whatever it takes in the name of "teamwork" . Yet we're not really part of that "team" unless they want something from us. If we want something from them, all of the sudden the team concept comes to a screeching halt.

 

[John Pennekamp]

We get profit sharing now...which means our performance has an impact (although I will admit somewhat indirectly) on what we make. Lets work together now people...

And those of you in management are going to make sure you hold it over our heads and squeeze a little extra work out of us for it too, apparently.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Be VERY CAREFUL about any communication with ramp personnel....

...there have been a few cases of flight crews being charged with racist remarks, sexual harrassment, and assault, all with "witnesses" to the accusation provided by ramp co-workers.

ALWAYS have a witness on your side before ANY exchanges with those people.

Bingo. And I guarantee their story will be the one believed. I talk to NO ONE.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Be VERY CAREFUL about any communication with ramp personnel....

...there have been a few cases of flight crews being charged with racist remarks, sexual harrassment, and assault, all with "witnesses" to the accusation provided by ramp co-workers.

ALWAYS have a witness on your side before ANY exchanges with those people.

This is a very troublesome comment. Has this happened? God, I hope people would be above either making a racist comment or making up a story about one.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Yes Stifler and 79%,

Now we are catching on. But, its more than just the money. Its about telling people who you work for with a straight face. I am SO TIRED OF BEING EMBARASSED to tell people where I work. "OH, you mean the airline that never gets me where I want to go on time....or loses my bag" (granted, we have little control over the bags now).

So you see, the money is great, but respect, enjoyment of our job, satisfaction for what we do, pride...those things are very important as well!

You can't change that with flight crews. The reason people hate us is that their flight is late (for reasons beyond our control like maintenance, wx, etc), the gate is mean, the ticket cost too much, you name it.

I'm sick and tired of the management lackeys at this company trying to blame everything on the flight crews, and holding us responsible to fix it.

 

[John Pennekamp]

As a side note...I whole heartedly disagree with this ENTIRE QUOTE. This "new" policy is not all that new to me. When possible, I try to go to the gate and get the release and chat with the gate agent. 99% of the time, they are open and friendly. I SET THE TONE AS THE CAPTAIN!! When I walk up with a smile on my face and am cordial to them, they warm up and react in kind. Its all in how you approach them (granted, every now and again, people have a bad day, but I have found negative responses to a kind approach to be very rare). I hear people calling ops all the time "barking" at them and then acting shocked when the response is rude...you all know what i am talking about! (and yes, I understand that it is frustrating when you call for a lav dump 5 times before it gets done...but that may not be OPS fault..don't take it out on them)

So, if you are getting a constant negative response, perhaps it isn't them...maybe its your negative approach? Just something to think about.

He sets the tone, lol. I'm picturing him jumping up and down at the gate shouting I AM THE CAPTAIN DAMNIT!!! RESPECT MY AUTHOTITAY!!!!

FL990, you need to stop. I don't tell you how to do your job, don't tell me how to do mine. You want to go play pattycake with the gate, good for you. Don't tell me to.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Really though, this is strictly an attempt by management to harass crews and payback for the new contract. Watch for more responsibilities being forced on the crews like we don't have enough to worry about.

At least someone "gets it"!!!

 

[Stifler's Mom]

You can't change that with flight crews. The reason people hate us is that their flight is late (for reasons beyond our control like maintenance, wx, etc), the gate is mean, the ticket cost too much, you name it.

I'm sick and tired of the management lackeys at this company trying to blame everything on the flight crews, and holding us responsible to fix it.

Consider yourself lucky that people deplane out the back of your aircraft. The rest of us are within earshot of those comments on a daily basis.

 

[John Pennekamp]

This is a very troublesome comment. Has this happened? God, I hope people would be above either making a racist comment or making up a story about one.

I've seen it as an ALPA rep. Several times. And funny, there were 3 rampers working the flight, but 5 will swear they "witnessedit".

 

[John Pennekamp]

Consider yourself lucky that people deplane out the back of your aircraft. The rest of us are within earshot of those comments on a daily basis.

True...