Skywest, please rescue ASA!

[Splinter]

Skywest needs to clean house at ASA. The ASA ramp sucks and will never improve without a contract because we know how much we influence the fluidity of the ramp. This is not going to end. We don't buy what management is selling and IF it were true, no one believes their claims because it came from them. What is sad is that corporate greed and abuse of employees is out of control. Delta plays with its connection carriers like they are voodoo dolls...never taking into account the lives and families affected by their callous decisions and the fallout that ensues: poor performance, pathetic morale, and poor treatment of customers. Who cares if they are in Chapter 11...they are coming out! If you want customers, you can't treat them like this, you can't treat employees like this, and you can't embolden and encourage DCC managements to work us over either. ASA recycles bad management. Everyone we have is ex USAir, TWA, or Delta...bankrupt, gone, and bankrupt. They all sucked at their old jobs, so why did we give them new ones? ASA needs a colon cleanse. ASA needs leadership. Skywest needs to fire the incompetent buffoons at the GO and wipe the slate clean. I feel like I need a bath after every conversation with one of them, like I had been violated and somehow soap will wipe away the filth. Car dealerships have more genuine folks than does the GO. This airline will only move forward with its employees marching to the same tune. Joe Theismann's knee was less fractured. BL has FAILED as an airline CEO. ASA needs to pursue a CEO candidate from a company that knows how to run a successful airline (JB, SWA, Virgin, Continental) and start over with the pilots. No one at ASA has ever forgotten what it was like to be a revenue flier. We still care about our customers and if we didn't care about each other then it would be REALLY crappy here. We have great equipment, great people, and great training...but it's all that goes on when you step off that last stair that sucks. If Skywest doesn't step in and overhaul ASA management, nothing will change. ASA management will tell you that we are "marking time" with a raise in compensation...that's BS. ASA is marking time with the status quo. As long as we continue to accept being at the bottom of on-time, baggage handling, and customer service, then ASA will die anyways. It will become Trans States, or Great Lakes, or (gulp) Mesa, where bad treatment is as part of the corporate culture as deck parties are to SWA. Skywest needs to start addressing ASA like an investment as they claim because they have not done so yet and must be pulling their hair out. Skywest has a track record of proven performance, and surely they have someone to step up and restore ASA to being a great place to work and to travel on. Our goal should be to be the flagship of DCI carriers, not the cheapest labor. So Skywest...please pimp my airline!

 

[phishn@daves]

Hey, I resemble that statement. Well, the TSA part of it. I feel for you guys. But I can see this turning into a really heated debate.

With that, I'm outta here. But I'll watch.

 

[rickair7777]

I always thought that key airline managers should be involuntarily drafted from the pilot ranks for 2 year management duty tours. The problem is most of the available talent at an airline is in the pilot group, but most are more interested in QOL and don't want to do long hours in the office. Pilots who have completed a management tour would sit on advisory commitees to assist their successors.

 

[sweptback]

The problem is, if you were a successful manager at Southwest, Continental, etc, would you leave there to come to podunk ASA?

 

[jehtplane]

Dude I have news for you, the ATL ramp will never improve while it is in ATL!

 

[Palerider957]

This thread should be called "Skywest, Please Euthanise ASA."......just make it painless and quick.

 

[Tomct]

Jetplane...you have GOT to let me know WHERE you get those avatars!!! LORD HAVE MERCY!!!!

On a side note. JA has got to be BRAIN DEAD to NOT see the problems here at ASA. They are just trying to show the Skywst pilots what could happen IF they vote in the Union. He is placing aircraft there, taking them from us and all the newbies see that skywst is a "quickie" upgrade! The same ole story....I am just going to get my 1000hrs and move onto a major airline! What the "youngin's " don't understand is that THEY are going to be next! We should be banding together to prevent the "whipsaw" that is taking place! Unfortunately the new folks don't GET IT!!! JA, you NEED to clean house at our GO and get things going in the right direction. Doubt he will though....WHY you say, because he is just like all other kinds of mgmnt....a WOLF in sheeps clothing! I can't WAIT to walk away from this CRAPPY company!

 

[Smacktard]

Dude I have news for you, the ATL ramp will never improve while it is in ATL!

Then how do you explain Popeyes vs Wendy's? You can't claim it's the talent. Supervision, well that's a different story...

 

[John Pennekamp]

This thread should be called "Skywest, Please Euthanise ASA."......just make it painless and quick.

So true.

The reason Atkin hasn't "fixed" ASA is that he and everyone else in SGU knows ASA is FUBAR. ASA is a cancer and cannot be healed. The only real solution is to dismantle it and start over, and everyone in the grey matchbox on the north side of Hartsfield knows it.

Brian and co. are marking time. I predict that they already have their walking papers. Right now, they are working for their severance package. They were told to knock the pilots down so that Skywest can cut cost for the last few years, and they'll get a great golden parachute. Fail and they join Skip in the Caribbean. Tough choices.

Mark my words, ASA will be gone within 5 years. We will be bled to death, and replaced, regardless of whether we get an industry leading contract or whether we undercut Mesa.

This is why we may as well get some money and QOL while we can and then hold on for MAX PAY TO THE LAST DAY.

 

[HarryParatestes]

John,

I disagree that ASA will be gone in 5 years. BL and CO. might have their "walking" papers and told to kick the pilots down, but JA will install his own people to run ASA. Get rid of the old DAL/ASA MGT and start with SKYW MGT. Clean house and meet the pilots somewhere in the middle for a workable contract. As for the Ramp in ATL, no telling how you tackle that monster. If you can solve that mess, you are a Genius.

 

[John Pennekamp]

John,

I disagree that ASA will be gone in 5 years. BL and CO. might have their "walking" papers and told to kick the pilots down, but JA will install his own people to run ASA. Get rid of the old DAL/ASA MGT and start with SKYW MGT. Clean house and meet the pilots somewhere in the middle for a workable contract. As for the Ramp in ATL, no telling how you tackle that monster. If you can solve that mess, you are a Genius.

The problem is deeper than top management. They'd have to replace every SVP, VP, director, manager and chief over there in the GO and at the airport. The "ASA culture" of do nothing until forced to is completely pervasive. This is why ASA will be phased out. To purge the ASA corporate culture.

As for fixing the ramp, it doersn't take a genius. As stated elsewhere, Wendys and Popeyes at the airport hire from the same pool, but Popeyes workers are much friendlier, competent, and efficient. The reason is good management and better compensation and treatment. If you want the "locals" in ATL to work, you have got to give them RESPECT. ASA knows only carrot and stick management. Fix that, and you have found the key. Give the ramp a raise and treat them with respect. Make a job on the ramp better than their budddy at McDonalds on Virginia Avenue, and they'll be ther best workers at the company.,

 

[SSDD]

ASA can not be dismatled. Skywest needs ASA for their west coast operations.

Its easy to rant and rave, but every once in a while you need to step back and look at the situation.

 

[Dubya]

What a shame....all that PFT'ing down the drain.

 

[Splinter]

ASA will not be TOTALLY dismantled. Code shares with UAL prohibit SKW from flying in LAX with another carrier. They need ASA as part of it's "portfolio" to accept flying from other airlines. But they will browbeat us down to nothing and flex their muscles to stiffarm us into a crap contract. We need to call their bluff. If ASA disappears, then Skywest loses their LAX or any future stuff that conflicts with UAL, and watch the stock tank. If we are made into a 50-seat only company, we will suck the life out of Skywest and be a bigger cancer. Bottom line...these tactics are just that...tactics. The current fleet plan for ASA is seriously detrimental to Skywest and we all know it. Once a contract is signed, we will get 70 and 90 seaters. They are not kidding anyone. Stand together and don't believe the hype.

 

[John Pennekamp]

ASA will not be TOTALLY dismantled. Code shares with UAL prohibit SKW from flying in LAX with another carrier. They need ASA as part of it's "portfolio" to accept flying from other airlines. But they will browbeat us down to nothing and flex their muscles to stiffarm us into a crap contract. We need to call their bluff. If ASA disappears, then Skywest loses their LAX or any future stuff that conflicts with UAL, and watch the stock tank. If we are made into a 50-seat only company, we will suck the life out of Skywest and be a bigger cancer. Bottom line...these tactics are just that...tactics. The current fleet plan for ASA is seriously detrimental to Skywest and we all know it. Once a contract is signed, we will get 70 and 90 seaters. They are not kidding anyone. Stand together and don't believe the hype.

So maybe the pilots need to rise up and make a credible threat that we may just auger this company in if they don't give us what we want?

 

[SkyNation]

I also think ASA will survive, but may look very different in the future. I once heard a rumor that ASA would provide UEX service out of IAD with CR7s.

how would you ASA guys like it if this ended up with ASA bases in ATL, IAD, LAX and maybe some points in between? Do most ASA live in/around the ATL or do you have tons of commuters?

 

[blueridge71]

I think that ASA may survive, but I doubt that it will see any growth for a long time.

Think about this: JA got more in assets than he paid for the company (or so I've heard) so it's a no-lose proposition for him. On the other hand, he's fighting a union drive at SW, so if he gives in and negotiates a better contract at ASA, he is practically inviting the union into SW.

I've heard that he also bought and dismantled another airline out west. My belief is that the only thing stopping him from moving all of ASA's assets to SW is that SW can't get enough pilots as it is. So, if my hunch is right, what we are likely to see at ASA is no growth whatsoever and the slow transfer of assets to SW.

 

[Mercyful Fate]

I think that ASA may survive, but I doubt that it will see any growth for a long time.

Think about this: JA got more in assets than he paid for the company (or so I've heard) so it's a no-lose proposition for him. On the other hand, he's fighting a union drive at SW, so if he gives in and negotiates a better contract at ASA, he is practically inviting the union into SW.

I've heard that he also bought and dismantled another airline out west. My belief is that the only thing stopping him from moving all of ASA's assets to SW is that SW can't get enough pilots as it is. So, if my hunch is right, what we are likely to see at ASA is no growth whatsoever and the slow transfer of assets to SW.

What airline is that? Sunaire?!

 

[shamrock]

how would you ASA guys like it if this ended up with ASA bases in ATL, IAD, LAX and maybe some points in between?

Depend on where those point in between are. I'll stay in ATL if IAD and LAX are the only other options.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Do most ASA live in/around the ATL or do you have tons of commuters?

I am pretty sure we have more than the average amount of commuters. Thanks to our company closing down 2 bases in almost as many years, I don't think most people know where to live anymore. And now we are opening an LAX base, I sure wouldn't pack up and move the family there with the track history of our management group.

At the rate are wonderful leadership team is moving, ATL will probably be closed at some point too.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

What airline is that? Sunaire?!

Ah, NO!

 

[ASARJMan]

I always thought that key airline managers should be involuntarily drafted from the pilot ranks for 2 year management duty tours. .

ASA has a couple of those in SH and CT, both of whom came from outside airlines. CT is a retread from DAL, where along with all the other ex-DAL managers (at ASA) that fuc*ed-up Delta are accomplishing the same at ASA.

Everyone remeber all those Chicago Express pilots saying SH was a stand-up guy when he came to ASA?

VOTED IN FAVOR!

 

[Richard Gozinya]

ASA will be broke down as far as JA can do it. The smaller the company gets, the leaner it will be. It will also be a hellova lot easier to build back up the way HE wants it. This is the only way to fix anything at this company. Look for JA to ride in on his white horse to "Save" the company when the new contract is signed. It is a very tried and true tactic. Break it down to the bone and rebuild it all.

One other question, just for discussion. Any chance he will work for a back door single payrate for all new hires through LA. Then send all new hires there for a period? If this can be done, then the slow purge of two rates will commence. Remember, this is what he wants, and he will do anything to eventually get it.

Dick

 

[John Pennekamp]

ASA will be broke down as far as JA can do it. The smaller the company gets, the leaner it will be. It will also be a hellova lot easier to build back up the way HE wants it. This is the only way to fix anything at this company. Look for JA to ride in on his white horse to "Save" the company when the new contract is signed. It is a very tried and true tactic. Break it down to the bone and rebuild it all.

Actually, downsizing a company increases its costs because it only eliminates the lower paid junior pilots, leaving us higher paid senior ones to do their jobs.

One other question, just for discussion. Any chance he will work for a back door single payrate for all new hires through LA. Then send all new hires there for a period? If this can be done, then the slow purge of two rates will commence. Remember, this is what he wants, and he will do anything to eventually get it.

Dick

Not likely. The MEC even refused to even offer the company contract relief to allow CRJ-700 pilots to voluntarily displace to the -200. Not likely the MEC will give them relief on something that big. According to the letters posted on the MEC website, the MEC feels that any contract changes need to be addressed in negotiations, which seems reasonable. I see no reason the union should help the company in its quest to bust the union with its unecessary displacements and fractionaliziation of the pilot group.

 

[Richard Gozinya]

With the attrition we have currently, isn't about 16/month, what if their goal is a 25-30% reduction in ASA's size. This could probably be done in about 18 months or so, give or take. (Shooting from the hip, so put away the calculators.) Surely looking at how they want Skyw Inc to look in 3-5 years, wouldn't that offset paying more senior pilots for a shorter period? What about if they go for the ********************aqua formula where the 50 seaters can fly the 37? for the higher rate, but not the opposite.

Surely when JA made the purchase of ASA, he was looking at where the company would be in 5 years and less at where we would be now 1 year after the purchase. He has to be thinking that ASA would one day be simular to skywest.

Dick