Another condescending SH email.

[Redan]

Now that we're faced with a situation we can do little about, there is a way to have some impact. In addition to the issues with our management, we've also seen our union become a company lapdog. Our "elected representatives" enable and validate company abuses while we're too fatigued to act as described in a previous post.

Our "elected representatives" have been bought by company and now their actions are primarily self serving, not in our interests. Therefore, it is time to recall these "elected representatives." If we truly wish to take action in our own interests this is the only option available for all practical purposes.

 

[Abernathy]

"It doesn’t matter how we got here but we need to show ASA runs a quality on time, reliable airline to our partners without delay. "

Too late.

Though it's not our fault. It's yours. You being everyone in that ridiculous hangar-space you call a headquarters. Perhaps we could also stop loaning Air Mekong the pilots we need so badly. We're investing money all over the goddamned place except here.

 

[damnflyboy]

This place is in an absolute meltdown. 24 cancellations so far today and 67 (7%!!!) yesterday.

Brand it: Summer MELTDOWN 2011

This is a mild preview to future attrition. It was nice knowing everyone.

 

[Flyer1015]

This is exactly the problem...SH isn't the problem, Delta is a big part of the problem....We are covering PCL trips in DTW because they are even more short of crews. We are picking up Comairs Florida and RDU flying as Delta dismantles them.

Combine that with every DCI/UAX carrier getting beat down on cost by RFPs and competition, and you get this mess...Blaiming this on SH might make you feel good, but it is misplaced anger....

At leat Joe gets it. Whatever problems or memos ASA has, Pinnacle has far worse. Rest assured, you ASA folks have some ways to go before you get to our level of an incompetent-run ship.

 

[Flyer1015]

The problem is Delta.

When I look in the back of my 50 seat AC and see three crews from three different DCI carriers all on a scheduled DH as part of the their trip - something is way wrong. In the red tail system DH's were very few in number - now just about every pairing has at least one scheduled DH in it.

When I report for the first flight in Regional City USA and see one AC each from five different DCI carriers at the gate - soemthing is very F'ed up. There is only one COEX and for the most part one Eagle.

Delta has hopelessly screwed up the integration of the red tail RJ's into the Delta system. They refuse to let any one carrier dominate even the smallest market so we are all spread ridiculously all over the country. Delta's marketing guru's have changed their marketing plan from one that you can staff with 5 crews per AC to one that needs 6 or 7 crews per AC. We used to need only two crews per day per AC. Now I see some schedules that require four crews a day to operate an AC. Two of those crews will be in the back of some one elses AC most of the day too. That is Delta's doing -and Delta's problem. They have the most expensive regional feed in the industry because of their marketing scheme. Yes I know it is because of their strike phobia - but they pay a tremendous price for it.

It's not the problem that is Delta, this is Delta's solution. Their solution to ensure a Summer 2001 is never repeated. Ever. Back in those days, Comair pretty much 100% ruled CVG as a regional and ASA ruled pretty much 100% (of their operation) at ATL. Things were simpler. Once the strike happened, their single hub CVG came to a grinding halt from the RJ perspective. Now, Delta has diversified all regionals. You will have sometimes 3-5 regionals overnighting at the same airport, some flying back to the same base. In my opinion, this is done to prevent another Summer 2001 result. It also allows Delta to chop a regional out altogether, with minimal effect. Look how quickly Freedom is gone.

 

[DYLIN]

It's not the problem that is Delta, this is Delta's solution. Their solution to ensure a Summer 2001 is never repeated. Ever. Back in those days, Comair pretty much 100% ruled CVG as a regional and ASA ruled pretty much 100% (of their operation) at ATL. Things were simpler. Once the strike happened, their single hub CVG came to a grinding halt from the RJ perspective. Now, Delta has diversified all regionals. You will have sometimes 3-5 regionals overnighting at the same airport, some flying back to the same base. In my opinion, this is done to prevent another Summer 2001 result. It also allows Delta to chop a regional out altogether, with minimal effect. Look how quickly Freedom is gone.

And the HVCs?

They've had enough.

 

[damnflyboy]

Seems to me that SkyWest INC and the other regionals should re-think their business plan. The DL nipples are wretched, poisoned little nipples.

I can't help but suspect that this fumble was carefully planned and executed by our suits.

 

[centralpilot]

I can't help but suspect that this fumble was carefully planned and executed by our suits.

You give our suits WAY too much credit.

 

[Abernathy]

Looks like our MEC responded. Let me guess how it went prior to the e-mail being sent.

MEC Officer: "Hey Scott...yeah me again, dude that BBQ at your place was fan-friggen-tastic. Yeah bro, anyways, look man, the pilots are pissed about that e-mail you sent so we gotta feed them something..you know, so they don't think we're going over to your place and having BBQs and stuff. But I wanted to give you a heads up first.

SH: Nah man we're cool. Glad you liked the BBQ. Hey where should we have our next Contract meeting? I was thinking Houston's or maybe we could head down to Vegas again.

MEC Officer: Vegas sounds good. We were thinking Destin. I was gonna bring my Jimmy Buffet CDs.

SH: Sweet. I'm in. Ok I gotta go. Say hi to the wife.

MEC Officer: Keep it real.

 

[Flyer1015]

It doesn’t matter how we got here...

You gotta love it, management always gets to walk when they screw up. I wonder if I can try and use this excuse next time I'm at fault for something. "It doesn't matter how we got here..."

 

[Ted]

Yeah, when someone runs one off the end because he's too tired to fly, try the "It doesn't matter how we got here" line. Then ask the company to pitch in some extra effort to help get you off the hook, and see what happens.

Anyone hear if the company is standing behind the CA who kicked the guy off in DTW?

 

[damnflyboy]

You give our suits WAY too much credit.

Maybe. But their job as management is to obsess over the faintest murmur that would hint at mishap. I don't disagree with you, but I believe there is more to this story that will never involve us as a consideration. That's why we're scratching our heads in the dark.

 

[Abernathy]

Hey on the bright side, at least he acknowledged that it's been miserable to come to work lately.

Is that really a bright side? I don't know. But it's pretty funny that he actually admitted it.

 

[Ted]

New email out now. Wait until you guys get a load of this. He still does not say we're under-staffed.

 

[Flyguy1226]

New email out now. Wait until you guys get a load of this. He still does not say we're under-staffed.

I'm surprised there are so many willing to pick up open time, give up vacations and add reserve to their schedule. I guess if you offer 200% pay, all of the sudden the bitching stops, just like the year before. Amazing.

 

[nerjdriver]

New email out now. Wait until you guys get a load of this. He still does not say we're under-staffed.

We heard this same line of BS at XJT before ASA bought us.... We have the highest amount of sick calls in the industry, etc etc etc.... was just a line of crap. Dont fall for it guys.

 

[dojetdriver]

The staffing and our operation has reached a critical mass this week (ie maintenance issues, increased flying added at the last minute, commuter clause users, sick calls, personal issues, extended training for some pilots-new hires and upgrades, ground damage, weather, too much open time left from the original bid run, PBS issues, people not following the FOM policies, etc.).

Translation: Our actions have finally caught up with us and we're in a world of hurt this week

We have recently caught the attention of both of our mainline partners at the highest level. It is important that we all work to pull the operation up this week and weekend.

Translation: DAL and UAL are really pi$$ed about it !!

I would not be asking for your highest attention to this issue if it was not critical. I know at times it may seem unbearable recently to come to work but it is important you push through this and help to improve our operation now.

Translation: If you sorry SOB's would quit faking sick calls and quit being pansies with your fatigue calls I wouldn't have to beg right now.

It doesn’t matter how we got here (I screwed up) but we need to show ASA runs a quality on time, reliable airline to our partners without delay. (I need you guys to cover my back) You do a great job and your attention to our operation is appreciated before, now and in the future.(uh huh ugh Thank you, yes ma'am, and stuff)
Scott

Just remove some terms and insert other terms, and you have EXACTLY what's been going on at XJT since last spring/early summer.

What's funny is we had a management pilot in the crew room last summer fielding questions about our staffing issues. His response was along the lines of "EVERYBODY has a part to play here as far as our staffing issues are concerned". Pretty much alluding to the notion that the pilots are of equal blame for the reasons mentioned. Sick calls, fatigue, etc. I just sat there, but I wish I would have said "THREE times I played the part of a pilot on days I should have played the part of a guy on a day off drinking on his patio in the summer time. If the trend keeps up of me playing the part of a pilot on these types of days, I can foresee myself playing the part of a guy drinking on his patio when he was scheduled to be playing the part of a pilot".

We heard this same line of BS at XJT before ASA bought us.... We have the highest amount of sick calls in the industry, etc etc etc.... was just a line of crap. Dont fall for it guys.

My former employer said the same thing. When I mentioned that to a COMAIR guy once in CVG he said "that's funny, our management says we have the highest sick call rate".

 

[centralpilot]

...add reserve to their schedule...

Who in their right mind would do this?

 

[nerjdriver]

My former employer said the same thing. When I mentioned that to a COMAIR guy once in CVG he said "that's funny, our management says we have the highest sick call rate".

Oh yea all the hits man. That one was on the top ten list for a good 8-12 months about a year year and a half ago.

Its so funny looking back. Fool me once....

 

[wms]

Crew planning and scheduling have more control over crew costs than we, but there's mention of them doing their job better.

Remember, we're in contract negotiations now. This is gonna be business as usual until a contract is signed.