Practical cost savings for ASA...

[Smacktard]

A lot of guys like him a very upset about being sent back to the line. They just need some time to cool off.

Yeah, you've been around long enough, <sarcasm>I'm sure you can relate...</sarcasm>

 

[Aviation Geek]

Kudos to you for a well articulated response.

Look, I'm not personally attacking any one specific individual, nor am I attempting to be 'disrespectful'. Also, I specifically avoided framing my thoughts in an adversarial pilots versus the khaki-wearers way. My sentiments here aren't personal: I'm being strictly analytical. Let's face the facts here: our future as a company, and therefore my immediate professional future, depends on reigning in costs. I get it.

I believe that my tenure here is an asset, not an impediment to objective thought. On three separate occasions I toured the GO and observed the same thing: a lot of people not doing a whole lot.

Prior to flying, my background was business consulting and teaching. I obviously don't have access to ASA's books, the real ones with day to day, pro forma data, but I do have the experience and common sense to know that there was a LOT of wasted payroll dollars.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, consult. I have, as somebody who actually ran a company (meeting a payroll, paying the bills, meeting sales goals, actually turning a profit), in addition to the consulting and teaching, met your kind. For the most part, even the best of your kind are good at suggesting, lousy at implementing.

You are not being analytical, you are being "observational." As such, you are making a sweeping observation based on a couple of visits to a site. It is very easy to observe and say "there are too many people here!" I am the consultant! Here me roar!

I offer as a story... a buddy of mine, late thirties, simple guy. Single, no kids, 45K a year. Worked for a small company and was very good at his job. Could breeze through most of his day. When the poo hit the fan, he handled it quietly and efficiently.The company hired a consultant to evaluate the processes at the company and look for cost efficiencies. The "consultant" came in, saw that he seemed "idle" (as the company owner put in on the day he was released). They replaced him with a $30K new hire.

In a one month period: The company took a $100K fine from their regulators. They also lost the contract associated with the fine. They hired another person at $30K to work with the newly hired $30K employee.

It is very easy to consult. It's hard to actually do something.

 

[Tarzan]

The fact remains though, that ASA has cut some costs somewhere, somehow. It is never fun to go through things like this when they do occur. How do you trim costs without ruffling feathers? Better implementation? Unfortunately, jobs will be lost in an effort to streamline and operational sections will be merged with other ones. My wife was one of those who lost a job paying 75K when Cingular was merged with ATT. We had 35K in the savings account for a rainy day. That rainy day turned into 9 months. Crap happens in the real world. Get over it.

 

[Abernathy]

Anyone think this is a big sign of pilot furloughs in the near future?

 

[www.]

Yeah, you've been around long enough, <sarcasm>I'm sure you can relate...</sarcasm>

There you go again SmackTard. Just beating that little old FO that already has a hard time flying much less finding his testosterone to make comments like that.

 

[Abernathy]

I heard Mesaba will be hiring a bunch soon. Any word on if they'll have an ATL base?

 

[Speedtape]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, consult. I have, as somebody who actually ran a company (meeting a payroll, paying the bills, meeting sales goals, actually turning a profit), in addition to the consulting and teaching, met your kind. For the most part, even the best of your kind are good at suggesting, lousy at implementing.

You are not being analytical, you are being "observational." As such, you are making a sweeping observation based on a couple of visits to a site. It is very easy to observe and say "there are too many people here!" I am the consultant! Here me roar!

I offer as a story... a buddy of mine, late thirties, simple guy. Single, no kids, 45K a year. Worked for a small company and was very good at his job. Could breeze through most of his day. When the poo hit the fan, he handled it quietly and efficiently.The company hired a consultant to evaluate the processes at the company and look for cost efficiencies. The "consultant" came in, saw that he seemed "idle" (as the company owner put in on the day he was released). They replaced him with a $30K new hire.

In a one month period: The company took a $100K fine from their regulators. They also lost the contract associated with the fine. They hired another person at $30K to work with the newly hired $30K employee.

It is very easy to consult. It's hard to actually do something.

Please, please, allow me to mediate this!

Maybe, both of you could be right! Give that observation some consideration! I call it a draw!

By the way, why did the "Implementation Man" quit his other job if he was such a legend and so successful at "Implementing?" If all you said is true, this place must drive you nuts!

At your business, did the employees in support positions answer their phones, and if they really were busy when the phone rang, did they answer their voice mail? Did they solve problems, or pass the buck! Was your payroll department efficient and reliable, or was it an ongoing nightmare, month after month?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[CFI2766]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, consult. I have, as somebody who actually ran a company (meeting a payroll, paying the bills, meeting sales goals, actually turning a profit), in addition to the consulting and teaching, met your kind. For the most part, even the best of your kind are good at suggesting, lousy at implementing.

You are not being analytical, you are being "observational." As such, you are making a sweeping observation based on a couple of visits to a site. It is very easy to observe and say "there are too many people here!" I am the consultant! Here me roar!

I offer as a story... a buddy of mine, late thirties, simple guy. Single, no kids, 45K a year. Worked for a small company and was very good at his job. Could breeze through most of his day. When the poo hit the fan, he handled it quietly and efficiently.The company hired a consultant to evaluate the processes at the company and look for cost efficiencies. The "consultant" came in, saw that he seemed "idle" (as the company owner put in on the day he was released). They replaced him with a $30K new hire.

In a one month period: The company took a $100K fine from their regulators. They also lost the contract associated with the fine. They hired another person at $30K to work with the newly hired $30K employee.

It is very easy to consult. It's hard to actually do something.

Do you feel better now?

 

[CFI2766]

Anyone think this is a big sign of pilot furloughs in the near future?

I wish it weren't the case, but yes: this does seem to be the proverbial writing on the wall.

 

[Abernathy]

sh*t.

 

[777forever]

Don't let the "Legendary Implementer" scare you. They would have furloughed by now if they were going to furlough....heard its too late to furlough now as it would be more expensive than not furloughing....

That being said, if Mesaba opens an ATL base I would definitely look at my options....

 

[Tarzan]

Don't let the "Legendary Implementer" scare you. They would have furloughed by now if they were going to furlough....heard its too late to furlough now as it would be more expensive than not furloughing....

That being said, if Mesaba opens an ATL base I would definitely look at my options....

1) Guess again. What happens around Christmas? We get very busy. It is expensive to furlough and recall but you can never rule out a furlough. Those of you who arrived after the contract was signed, I'd be keeping my options open. Does not mean it will happen but you never know.....

2) Mesaba will have a crew base in ATL. The parking spaces out on 6N remote has been painted in anticipation.

 

[777forever]

I don't think they will furlough. Not til March 09 at least. (Mesa flying) By there will be absolutely no point in furloughing til the fall.

In this current economy Skywest Inc has a key asset many regionals don't have, a huge amount of cash. 5 years from now all the regionals that are out there right now some will not be around, Skywest Inc will.

 

[Medeco]

If the F word is such an absolute at ASA, then why would Brad paint such a rosy picture about our future on his latest weekly update?

I think we could agree he his smart enough to not paint a picture like this if something was such an absolute.

I think it is a possibility, but right now I think they are hedging thier bet on needing us sooner rather than later.

Obviously, we all know that upper managment will lie to us, but I give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. He has not really left the door open wide enough to turn and say this was something I warned against everytime I wrote.

I'm not blind, just willing to take his word till he proves otherwise.

Medeco

 

[dooork]

I think all you DCI regionals are going to get played like a fiddle. Get ready to start stabbing your competition...I mean "brothers"....here it comes..and you can have it.

 

[79%N1]

Medeco,

I did not get any sense at all of a Rosy picture by Brad! Sure, we all work for a company that is making money in these trying economic times, blah, blah, blah.....

Truth be told, all those profits we glean from Delta are also costly to Delta, making us a higher cost lift provider. Instead of pilot salaries or a few extra office workers, maybe it is the big 13% profit Skywest is making off Delta that is pricing us out of the market for future growth. Fact of the matter is that Mesa and Pinnacle elect to fly aircraft for much less profit margin than ASA is "making". This is why they get all the flying.

I tend to Read more in to CT's message that we are getting zero growth, are shutting down recruiting and hiring, and sending 25 instructors back to the line, (Back on reserve, here I come) as a truer reflection of where we stand.

 

[JumpersAway]

Maybe our mgt team is just being conservative, and trying to get a leg up on everyone else. Delta is concentrating on the mainline merger, and very little on DCI. Let's face it, there doesn't seem to be a clear cut plan regarding DCI, from Delta. We won't have any clue what is in store for us until mid winter, at the earliest. Don't brow beat yourselves into a state of low morale until there is a reason too. So far, we've lost 3 aircraft in a hangar derby, and the ATR's, which we knew were leaving a year ago. All in all, I'd say we're not in a bad gig yet.

On another note, I flew with a Captain on this trip that was bitching about wanting to grow, but had absolutetely NO concept of fuel burn/savings in any capacity. APU+ both engines/ max power, all the time. Absolutely amazed me. Being a displaced Captain myself, It took every nerve in my body to keep from having a $hi+ hemorage in the right seat....

 

[79%N1]

Interesting Jumpers...... and good retort.

I'm curious, did you feel comfortable at all calling the Captains attention to his inconsistency? Crying about costs and doing nothing to help control them is a bit hypocritical.

My morale may be dropping, but I will still do all I can to pitch in for the lost cause!

 

[777forever]

I heard Mesaba will be hiring a bunch soon. Any word on if they'll have an ATL base?

Well Mesaba just got an additional 15 900s. Strictly rumor but I heard there will be an ATL 900 base.

 

[JumpersAway]

Interesting Jumpers...... and good retort.

I'm curious, did you feel comfortable at all calling the Captains attention to his inconsistency? Crying about costs and doing nothing to help control them is a bit hypocritical.

My morale may be dropping, but I will still do all I can to pitch in for the lost cause!

I hear you about the morale- I'm in the same boat......believe me. Anyways, I did bring up the fuel burn issue, about single engine taxi, etc. The reply I got was that he would burn less gas when management got us more flying. At that point, there was the mental "palm to forehead", as I couldn't believe the logic. I suppose my biggest obstacle, is re-adjusting to my possition as First Officer. I got waaaay to used to running the aircraft how I wanted to run it, and am now finding it increasingly difficult to do stuff like this. Right now, I'm just trying to be a good F/O and keep my mouth shut.