Asa Mx....

[Jmoney]

Anyone know how short ASA is getting on mechanics? I wrote up something the other day, and Big Daddy took about 35 mins to show up. I hear they are spead pretty thin these days.....



P.S.-I'm not advocating anything, that wouldn't be kosher-just an innocent observation....

 

[Oakum_Boy]

I love the people who say ASA MX is so great and whatever. I think it sucks.

 

[N1VIBS]

I love the people who say ASA MX is so great and whatever. I think it sucks.

We have a great group of mechanics who, for the most part, would rather fix things than defer them. Unfortunately their supervisors and MTC control have that "on time" mentality. So defer it and get it moving!!!

 

[John Pennekamp]

When our mechanics graduate mechanic school, ASA gives them a toolbox with a hammer and a condom in it. When they ask what the condom is for, they're told "If you can't fix it with the hammer, then f#%k it"

Seriously, though, I've noticed the mechanics getting much more belligerent lately when you question them about why they're deferring something. This tells me there's a lot of pressure being put on them. Rumors are flying over there, everything from MCN closing and all mtc being consolidated in ATL, to Delta is taking them next. And I also heard they've been talking to a union and cards are about to go out. Interesting times we live in.

 

[wms]

I hear from some mechanics that some SKYW people have come in and taken over some of the supervisory positions. Since the mechs are not union they have them doing non-maint functions which interfere with their primary jobs (this was a big problem in the AF). This of course has them talking about unionizing. As far as the quality of maintenance, I was a mechanic and maint supervisor in the AF and can tell you that our maintenance is very good. Six or seven years ago it left alot to be desired, but there have been a lot of improvements. But just like any department there are fluctuations. AD taking on other responsibilities has had a negative impact on the maint dept as a whole.

 

[atlcrashpad]

Errrthing is defer'd.... They don't fix nuttin' jus defer it... lotta APU's inop these dayz.....
Bouyyyyy....

 

[Blucher]

Word I've heard from one of the mechanics is that they're planning on making it more like Skywest's mx. Unless it's something real major that needs tools, the pilots will be talked through doing their own deferals by mx control. Think SP450 all-day-everyday-everywhere. As this mechanic said, "it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better! Lots of changes coming."

-Blucher

 

[HarryParatestes]

Lazy Mechanics. Bunch of Grease Monkey's banging wrenches against the wall. Defer this, defer that. No matter what you call it or who's plan you are following. Skywest management is just as bad as ASA management.

 

[Trimmers]

You guys don't do your own deferals? How about at out stations?

 

[Oakum_Boy]

That will be an accident in waiting. All that needs to happen is a misdiagnosis by ASA maintenance control (which surely NEVER happens). It's like going to the doctor over the telephone.

 

[601Pilot]

That will be an accident in waiting. All that needs to happen is a misdiagnosis by ASA maintenance control (which surely NEVER happens). It's like going to the doctor over the telephone.

Wait until you see the new SP 450 and MX changes; it's going to be fun.

 

[regionalcap]

You guys don't do your own deferals? How about at out stations?

We only do our own deferrals at the outstations, for now.

 

[Dude]

On my last flight at ASA I had 9 deferrals. Sadly, it was the ATR and I'm not sure that left anything else to defer or I am afraid they would have. I don't miss that type of operating philosophy. I do, however, miss the folks over there.

 

[Blucher]

On my last flight at ASA I had 9 deferrals. Sadly, it was the ATR and I'm not sure that left anything else to defer or I am afraid they would have. I don't miss that type of operating philosophy. I do, however, miss the folks over there.

Hey Dude,

I'd be more than willing to come help you guys out at Southwest! We could reminisce about old time when we both worked for ASA. Just need a little help getting my Luv on.

-Blucher:beer:

 

[atlcrjdriver]

Most of the line guys that I have come into ctc w/ are top notch mech. Unfortunantly they are being pushed by the mtc ctrl and upper mgmnt to keep those a/c in the air and on time. So, as long as safety is not put into question or it is a must have item, defer it and make the repair on an overnight. This can be a pain in the butt for flt crews but makes sense for performance data. Why take a delay for a minor conveniance issues?

 

[CA1900]

Why take a delay for a minor conveniance issues?

You think an inop APU in a CRJ on a hot summer day is a minor inconvenience? Ask the passengers like me in the back of your plane how they feel about being roasted like a thanksgiving turkey in the name of scheduling!

 

[atlcrjdriver]

I wouldn't call an APU a minor conveniance issue, especially if you don't have the grd eq to handle it ie air cart and huffer. However if you do have the eq its not that big of a deal. A little extra gas may be needed during longer taxi also.

 

[ASARJMan]

Guess you don't consider the taxi out without barely any airflow, unless you run it up, while taxing. In ATL that taxi-out can be quite lengthy, and those business folks dressed up, along with other passengers, should not be subject to a hot aircraft. Oh hell, this has been hashed over a million times here. Do what you want, but I won't subject passengers, the crew, and myself to a possible heat stroke on a hot aircraft. Fixing it will take care of it, not deferring it.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

So, as long as safety is not put into question or it is a must have item, defer it and make the repair on an overnight. This can be a pain in the butt for flt crews but makes sense for performance data. Why take a delay for a minor conveniance issues?

As far as I'm concerned, safety is always in question at this place. Except when BL says that safety is a given. Then you can relax.