So Much For Flying The Contract

[ASAFOE120]

5.29.07 Stellar holiday weekend performance puts ASA on track for May goals 05/29/2007 5.29.07 Stellar holiday weekend performance puts ASA on track for May goals

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally known in the airline industry as the official start of the busy summer travel season. This year, ASA people companywide showed customers and Delta just how serious we are about stellar operational performance.



Every one of ASA’s 749 Memorial Day flights were completed with a whopping 93.32 percent of those flights arriving on time. On a whole, ASA completed 99.77 percent of scheduled flights on Memorial Day weekend, with 93.2 percent of those flights arriving on time.



“What an incredible weekend for our people and for our customers,” said Bryan LaBrecque, president. “As our ATL people transition to Delta on Friday, I know they will continue working hard in the tradition of excellence that they have established together so far 2007 at ASA.”



ASA’s month-to-date completion factor performance for May is 99.21 percent – ahead of the tough 98.52 Delta Connection Agreement (DCA) goal. Meanwhile, ASA is sitting at 85.45 percent for on-time performance in May – just behind the A-14 DCA goal of 87.36 percent.

 

[Tarzan]

In retrospect, I believe this sheds a better light on the pilot group. In the midst the final stages of a contract negotiations, ASA still turned in above average numbers. It certainly helps that the gate agents and rampers are on board with getting this stuff done on time. It'd be nice to take credit for it but without those guys doing their part, we don't go anywhere.

After June 1st, I predict a return to normalcy with below average numbers.

 

[doug_or]

It certainly helps that the gate agents and rampers are on board with getting this stuff done on time. It'd be nice to take credit for it but without those guys doing their part, we don't go anywhere..

That's what shocked me. Aren't they getting fired on friday? And they came to work on memorial day weekend? Are they in possesion of an exceptional work ethic or just stupid? (or are they pretty much all collectively gettign hired by big D?)

 

[Beergut]

I fly the contract but I'm not going to go out of my way to delay a flight. Part of our deal with Delta is based on performance and I don't want to give Delta or Skywest another reason to pull the plug.

 

[Palerider957]

I'm glad I left when I did. I would have stroked out if I still had to hear "we can be on time if we can get fuel at Charlie 25!!!" over the ops radio.

 

[rogerwilcoout]

That's what shocked me. Aren't they getting fired on friday? And they came to work on memorial day weekend? Are they in possesion of an exceptional work ethic or just stupid? (or are they pretty much all collectively gettign hired by big D?)

Exceptional? Lol That is the last word I would use to describe ASA rampers and GAs in ATL ! Unless, of course, you mean they are exceptionally lazy ! No that Delta took over maybe it is better now.

 

[doug_or]

Yeah I was pretty sure it wasn't the former, but Delta doesn't take over until Friday (I thought.)

 

[John Pennekamp]

Who generally works on holidays? Junior pilots. Who cares least about the contract battle (because they plan to leave soon anyhow)? Junior pilots.

There you go.

 

[Texx]

Who generally works on holidays? Junior pilots. Who cares least about the contract battle (because they plan to leave soon anyhow)? Junior pilots.

There you go.

And which pilots are the first to go IF there were to be a reduction in pilots? Yes, the junior ones. Younger is not always wiser.

 

[John Pennekamp]

And which pilots are the first to go IF there were to be a reduction in pilots? Yes, the junior ones. Younger is not always wiser.

Very true, but none of them believe they will get furloughed from ASA. But they'll be the first to go when Skywest cuts ASA back due to our failure to secure scope over industry leading pay rates.

 

[Edct]

We call that a work ethic. My passengers and my crew will ALWAYS come before your union.

 

[John Pennekamp]

We call that a work ethic. My passengers and my crew will ALWAYS come before your union.

"My union"? So you're saying you're not a member? Then why should we care what you think anyhow? Go lick someone's boots in the GO and see where that gets you. Or as they say "bargain together or beg alone".

And you will be among the first to stand up and bitch about how the new contract sucks too.

Try being part of the solution instead part of the problem.

Oh, and they're not "your" passengers and crew. Is our ego a little too big, edct?

 

[TOOL CRIB]

Hello? What part of reduced holiday schedule don't you understand? Even ASA can operate well when their daily scheduled flights are halved.

 

[701EV]

Its easy to run on time when everyday you have a three hour break. It gives you two hours to catch back up.

701EV

 

[eaglepilot6]

Who generally works on holidays? Junior pilots. Who cares least about the contract battle (because they plan to leave soon anyhow)? Junior pilots.

There you go.

I had a cookout and everyone that showed up is on first year pay. Maybe we're the lucky ones with the day off or there are enough guys/gals behind us to get screwed.

This morning was back to normal ops, waited 50 mins for our gate to open and had the privledge to share the experience with at least 5 other aircraft scattered around the airport waiting just as long.

 

[Medeco]

Make no mistake, Delta is already up in the tower shaping things and SUPERVISING, whatta concept.

Also, combine a reduced schedule for the holiday with perfect weather conditions and even the worst can past good numbers.

Additionally, it would seem based on my schedule that the block ties are more realistic, and we have the ATL airport working with a new runway, PRMS, and a wraparound taxi that all add up to a smooth operation.

For me the question will be two things:

How will the "delta operations" handle things when the bad weather IROPS finally show up?

And, its beginning to feel quite hot in the Big A. Is the time coming when the newbies decide the ramp and 100 degree weather aint for them, and we are all the sudden short staffed again in every zone?

ASA makes a buttload of money even with poor management and an angry pilot group. How much do you think they will make when we settle a contract and the hard feeling go away?

The sky is not falling at ASA, but it will always and forever be a regional stepchild.

Medeco

 

[US Flyer]

I've been here for over six years and noticed a BIG correlation between weather patterns and on time performance.

Our fearless leaders are taking credit for ontime performance mainly because we are experiencing the drought of the century in ATL and there hasn't been a drop of rain or cloud in the sky for the last six weeks..................

 

[CA1900]

That's what shocked me. Aren't they getting fired on friday?

We find it's always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there's less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.