Pinnacle ALPA -- why throw mud?

[Mel Sharples]

Deleted

 

[NEWSOUTH]

agreed

Yea, I'll go ahead and agree with you. The guy that wrote that is not really a funny type of guy. I think maybe he would like to be and that was his best effort. The blame really falls on the editor. He is way over worked and I'm sure it was an oversight.

On the other hand "get over it." Your boys have frequently cut much deeper, and spilled way more blood. No flame intended.

 

[Mel Sharples]

On the other hand "get over it." Your boys have frequently cut much deeper, and spilled way more blood. No flame intended.

I agree.

That's why I want the "official" union positions to be more responsible. I certainly don't defend our union boys.

And I definitely agree with you in the context of this board. Unfortunately, a lot of the XJ guys have said some stupid things for which there is no excuse. Underserved cheap shots at Pinnacle are wrong no matter where they come from, and for that I apologize on behalf of those of us who know better.

Thanks for your understanding on this.

 

[DoinTime]

I guess this really rubbed me the wrong way and I would like to ask the author of this article, "How would you feel if we wrote 'If you want to talk about Pinnacle's ramper's lack of teeth... or dirty mullet..." I think you get the point.

I think you'd have a hard time finding anyone in the pilot group at Pinnacle that would take offense to that. That being said DTW ramp service is HORRIBLE for PCL flights. This can't just be blamed on poor management or understaffing either. The majority of those guys just flat out SUCK at what they do! Over the course of one week last month these dipsh*ts marshaled our airplanes into fixed objects 16 times (and that's with a wing walker on BOTH wings)!

I'd put our no teeth havin', dirty mullet wearin' ramp rats against any of your body odor smellin', no wand wavin' bag tossers any day!

 

[fly4ever]

Okay, I'll bite on this one. 16 times in one week in DTW is something even we would have heard about so you're going to have to back that up with some evidence.

Note: There are very few "fixed" objects that stick up on the ramp at DTW. So how is it that the person at the controls of the airplane didn't make sure everything was "in the box" before proceeding into the gate?

For those of you who don't know what "in the box" means - all of the equipment on the ramp(stationed at a gate) has designated painted areas - "boxes". When the equipment is within the proper areas it is not where an airplane will contact it. If you choose to taxi into the gate with items overhanging these painted areas you take a chance on coming into contact with the equipment.

 

[DoinTime]

Okay, I'll bite on this one. 16 times in one week in DTW is something even we would have heard about so you're going to have to back that up with some evidence.

snipits from our CEO's weekly message:

"...The primary reasons for the lapse in service were insufficient communications infrastructure, lack of integration of our systems, and our acceptance of a high level of delays out of DTW going into the holiday. Contributing factors included an incredible number of ground damages (21 in one week, primarily in DTW) and the high level of utilization of our crews.

... We are focussed on driving down damage to our aircraft, especially with Mesaba. Of the 21 grounding damages 16 were in DTW. We can never have a successful recovery if we have such a large number of aircraft taken out of service. Likewise we will work with Mesaba to have better visibility of potential staffing shortages so we can plan in advance of the push."

Note: There are very few "fixed" objects that stick up on the ramp at DTW. So how is it that the person at the controls of the airplane didn't make sure everything was "in the box" before proceeding into the gate?

When the ramp is covered in snow all of the "boxes" disappear. Actually, I would doubt that the majority of that damage was done while the aircraft was taxiing in but rather ground staff simply driving their vehicles/jetbridges into our airplanes. After looking at the enormous amount of exterior damage to Mesaba's DTW ground vehicles this isn't much of a stretch.

 

[Mel Sharples]

I'd put our no teeth havin', dirty mullet wearin' ramp rats against any of your body odor smellin', no wand wavin' bag tossers any day!

I love it!

 

[Markm1811]

DTW and the jetbridge phenomena..

Oh sadly its very true. On one shift last week I had 6 jetbridge incedents and a DTW ramper who slipped on the accelerator and hit a gse vehicle connected to a /200. I dont even work on a busy shift either !!!!

Sorry.

 

[dbrownie]

I recently read a copy of your union's newsletter "Climb and Maintain" in which one of your reps makes a comment in a paragraph about talking to the company I thought was classless.


Not to be thin skined my self but that picture of a NWA Fa seemes
to me kind of "classless".

Dave B

 

[fly4ever]

DoinTime,

Thanks for providing some background info.

Your previous comments included the statement about being "marshalled into fixed objects" and that is what I responded to. It sounds as though a majority of the damages may have taken place after being parked. I can accept some of your conclusions (especially concerning gate agents driving the jetbridges into airplanes) but I also treat your CEO's comments like I do our upper management - with a grain of salt. They are all trying to be very diplomatic about who's fault it is and not wanting to take full responsibility for the under-funded operations they run.

We are all aware of the problems we face on a daily basis whether it is an XJ or 9E operation.

 

[Mel Sharples]

Not to be thin skined my self but that picture of a NWA Fa seemes
to me kind of "classless".

Dave B

If my avatar was in an official union publication, I would agree with you 100%.

If the "shower" comment were made on this board, I could care less.

My point was that an official publication (no matter who publishes it) should be more careful.

Do you see the difference? If you don't, I'm sorry. To me, it is like night and day. These boards are anonymous and no one knows who really said what. If the Mesaba ALPA newsletter ever made a comment like that, I would object just as strongly. I'm sure the person making the comment made it in jest, but that is not the proper forum. If he wants to say the same thing here, have at it.

 

[othello]

I Love it,

Mesaba's cheif pilot said that 9E crew scheduling/lack of crews was the major cause of the DTW ramp disaster over the holidays CRJ parked in the gates with no crews to move them. 9E managment says that the Mesaba ramp delays and being unable to get flights out on time caused the crew scheduling mess at 9E.

What a joke, It will be the same next Holiday.

 

[T-handle]

no one has the balls to accept blame. there's no accountability these days....


Btw didnt we just have this mudslinging thread a couple of weeks. I think the thread was called something like NWA very upset with Pinnacle ???.....

 

[fly4ever]

T-handle,

I'm with you - XJ and 9E pilots should all give it a rest.

Respectfully,

fly

 

[Waylon]

I agree the DTW ramp is a joke. Was anybody there this past Sat. I don't know who is to blame but Wayne County is useless and should be mentioned.

 

[dbrownie]

If my avatar was in an official union publication, I would agree with you 100%.

If the "shower" comment were made on this board, I could care less.

My point was that an official publication (no matter who publishes it) should be more careful.

Do you see the difference? If you don't, I'm sorry. To me, it is like night and day. These boards are anonymous and no one knows who really said what. If the Mesaba ALPA newsletter ever made a comment like that, I would object just as strongly. I'm sure the person making the comment made it in jest, but that is not the proper forum. If he wants to say the same thing here, have at it.

Good point,
I guess it is that picture gives me the willies, plus it is right above your name. When I reply I feel I am replying to MJ (sorry dude!)
Dave B

 

[Inconceivable]

What was Scott talking about with the EGPWS on the other board? Anyone flagshippers know? Feel free to PM.

 

[kmox29]

dead issue

I actually phoned and talked to the author of the article. He's a nice guy who told me it was a bad attempt at humor. It was not meant to slight anyone in any way. I also have heard far worse from both Pinnacle and Mesaba folks in the arena of mud slinging. Bickering at eachother's airlines is about as dumb as one can be. We are both the doormat at NWA.

With Pinncale facing 2 years of expired contract negotiations, they will need all the support we Mesaba guys can give. Our careers are always on the line when a regional negotiates, especially so when it's our same family.

Good luck Pinnacle guys...let me know when you need me to hold a sign and walk a line.