ASA D-0 Flight Crew Babysitting

[John Pennekamp]

Well...they've done it again....we now have to babysit mother delta. According to CT memo, we have to make an effort to obtain the release, ensure the plane is cleaned, etc....all the things we were doing, now just written down clearly. I just wanna know who's clock they're using....

its 36 min priah to departah cap'n....youz need to git da releaze form me....we needs to huddle

Once again, the crews that run the operation, still, continue to run the operation. What ever happened to doing your job? I'll do mine, they do theirs.

Who cares how many memos they send? Am I required to read anything that's not in my POH of FOM? No. Do I read or respond to anything on that asinine ourASA web site? No. Huddles? Trips to the gate? Don't think so.

One Call, That's all.

 

[wms]

I can see the response to an ASA pilot when he tries to get a bunch of DAL folks to huddle. No DAL people are going to do anything an ASA pilot tells them. They're at one gate working three planes and they're not going to stop loading/boarding another flight to come hear our brief. And the gate agents often work alone working three flights. They don't have time to stop and listen to someone when they're trying to board or deplane a flight.

The team at the puzzle palace needs to be reminded that the ATL ops people don't work for us and don't answer to us and will just tell us to get lost. Just like they've been doing since June 1.

 

[John Pennekamp]

I can see the response to an ASA pilot when he tries to get a bunch of DAL folks to huddle. No DAL people are going to do anything an ASA pilot tells them. They're at one gate working three planes and they're not going to stop loading/boarding another flight to come hear our brief.

The team at the puzzle palace needs to be reminded that the ATL ops people don't work for us and don't answer to us and will just tell us to get lost. Just like they've been doing since June 1.

Add to that the fact that all of them seem to think that they are above us and that we answer to them, not the other way around.

Try writing up a Delta person and see how far it goes. But get written up by a Delta Gate Agent and you'll be sitting in a blue chair explaining yourself.

This is the double standard I'm tired of. Ever since 6/1/07 the same ops people who were on our team on 5/30/07, suddenly got the idea that they were promoted and that we work for them as their servants. No, no huddles for me.

 

[wms]

I'll go up, get the release, make sure non-revs and jump-seaters are taken care of and do my job in the cockpit. But it's inappropriate for the mgmt of one company to encourage it's employees to exercise operational authority over the employees of another company. Especially when we've been told again and again that we operate at the pleasure of DAL and that they have authority over us. This wasn't well thought out by the author of the memo and leaves us in an awkward position if we try to enforce it.

 

[John Pennekamp]

But it's inappropriate for the mgmt of one company to encourage it's employees to exercise operational authority over the employees of another company. Especially when we've been told again and again that we operate at the pleasure of DAL and that they have authority over us. This wasn't well thought out by the author of the memo and leaves us in an awkward position if we try to enforce it.

But remember, Charlie was, is, and always will be a Delta blue blood. To him, this makes perfect sense.

 

[wms]

I'm sure by reason of his history there he still has some influence and close relations. But he has to remember that in the eyes of DAL and every DAL employee the rest of us are just slugs in a subsidiary of a third-party contractor. Your delta connection connection.

 

[John Pennekamp]

I'm sure by reason of his history there he still has some influence and close relations. But he has to remember that in the eyes of DAL and every DAL employee the rest of us are just slugs in a subsidiary of a third-party contractor. Your delta connection connection.

Exactly. And they have begun to treat us accordingly. You know what, I won't go back and keep getting crapped on. So when they treat me like a valued team member, I'll play their B.S. kumbaya huddle game. Until then, I'll act like the "subsidiary of a third-party contractor" I am and sit on my airplane, doing my basic job requirements and nothing more.

If Delta wants me to act like a member of their team, then they should make me a Delta employee and pay me accordingly. But don't try to fool me into acting like a team member for free when I am your team's water boy, not a real player.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Here's a link to the new FA briefing they'll start Feb 1.


New FA Briefing

 

[asa rat]

Madea goes flying!!! Too Fu_king funny!

Here's a link to the new FA briefing they'll start Feb 1.


New FA Briefing

 

[FL990]

Who cares how many memos they send? Am I required to read anything that's not in my POH of FOM? No. Do I read or respond to anything on that asinine ourASA web site? No. Huddles? Trips to the gate? Don't think so.

One Call, That's all.

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!

 

[Oakum_Boy]

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.Not a big deal folks!

I wonder if you've ever been to the airport.

 

[FL990]

I wonder if you've ever been to the airport.

Funny...

Look, we are avg roughly 80%+ on time right now, which means that the MAJORITY of our flights are arriving within 15minutes of schedule....The majority of the time, this system should work. Yes, sometimes I go a bit above and beyond to keep things on time...SO WHAT...I am not so lazy as to do that. Do I throw bags...NO...do I turn a wrench...NO!! But will I help a FA by putting bottled water in the overhead, or cross seatbelts, etc...sure!

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...NOT for the company, but for US! Lets enjoy our job and make this a good place to work! THIS IS OUR COMPANY, NOT THERES!!

 

[Papa Woody]

I can see the response to an ASA pilot when he tries to get a bunch of DAL folks to huddle. No DAL people are going to do anything an ASA pilot tells them. They're at one gate working three planes and they're not going to stop loading/boarding another flight to come hear our brief. And the gate agents often work alone working three flights. They don't have time to stop and listen to someone when they're trying to board or deplane a flight.

The team at the puzzle palace needs to be reminded that the ATL ops people don't work for us and don't answer to us and will just tell us to get lost. Just like they've been doing since June 1.

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.

 

[79%N1]

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...NOT for the company, but for US! Lets enjoy our job and make this a good place to work! THIS IS OUR COMPANY, NOT THERES!!

Ding, Ding, Ding.......Someone who actually gets it! I go the extra mile for me, and my pocket.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Performance Plus

It's money out of all of our pockets if we don't make our goals.

Another group to be warry of is some of the Operations people up in the tower. I've been told to wait for an aircraft to push back, only after pushing the issue to find out that the plane in my spot was not going anywhere. The result was, we blocked in more than 15 minutes late. Result, one knock against all of us making a little extra money at the end of the quarter.

Some of the Ops people are great, but there's this one female (don't know her name) that drives me nuts with her canned "Rog" responses to our requests. My guess is, she's just playing lip service to us at times. She's the one that caused the flight above to be late because she didn't research our arrival gate the first time as requested her to.

 

[FL990]

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!

 

[FL990]

I can see the response to an ASA pilot when he tries to get a bunch of DAL folks to huddle. No DAL people are going to do anything an ASA pilot tells them. They're at one gate working three planes and they're not going to stop loading/boarding another flight to come hear our brief. And the gate agents often work alone working three flights. They don't have time to stop and listen to someone when they're trying to board or deplane a flight.

The team at the puzzle palace needs to be reminded that the ATL ops people don't work for us and don't answer to us and will just tell us to get lost. Just like they've been doing since June 1.

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.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

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.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

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.

It's inside the 2-Minute Warning and Team Stifler's Mom is running the Hurry-Up Offense. No time to huddle, git-r-done.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Yes Stifler and 79%,

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!

I agree with that comment. Nothing more enjoyable then getting people and their bags from A to B early, or atleast ontime. I enjoy the comments about how nice the flight was, the thank you's, etc.

Like most of us, I take pride in the job I do when I am at work, but I have little to no patience for people with the work ethic of a slug. It only takes one person in the operation to put a kink in the chain, and quickly things go south.

How many times do you hear people calling Ops numerous times and they go ignored, only to hear operations in the next breath asking if somebody is ready to board? How hard is it to listen to a radio frequency and fill your job diescription?