My favorite is how the DO is under suspicion for an attempted single engine t/ off w/ pax and some of our pilots on board. How embarassing!
Surveillance Cameras in Crewrooms
*****
A month ago, Trans States management installed surveillance cameras in the IAD crewroom without notification to the pilot group
or the Association.***** On April 13th, I sent an email to Chief Pilot, Capt. Randy Zehnder, inquiring why it was necessary after all these
years to install them now.***** I also asked a dozen questions about their capability, locations and planned policy usage.***** On May 3rd, I
received a letter dated April 20th from Director of Operations, Mike White, which outlined the reasons for installing the cameras was
due to recent events.***** Specifically, he cites a flight attendant complaint about a partially undressed pilot, illegal computer usage,
Non-Company related internet browsing, and vandalism and mischief (i.e. April Fools Day merger announcement letter).***** None of the
other questions regarding surveillance camera capability and usage were addressed.***** One of the area’s most objectionable to the
Association is the installment of cameras in the sleep room.***** While the sleep rooms may not be a private room, one would expect a
certain level of privacy while sleeping.***** The need for cameras in this room is highly objectionable and has made many crew members
feel uneasy about sleeping in a room while under surveillance.***** This equates to borderline voyeurism in many pilots eyes and impinges
on a reasonable expectation to privacy while you sleep.***** For many, the installment of a camera in the sleep room has rendered it useless.
*****
Recently, a pilot was terminated for placing a blanket over the camera in the sleep room.***** This allegedly resulted in the camera viewing
angle changing.********** TSA Management alleged the pilot attempted to damage the device and further cited the pilot with intentionally
disabling the function of a security device.***** While the pilot had no prior discipline, he was terminated for this event.***** The notion that a
pilot was trying to damage a security device with a soft blanket is utterly ridiculous.
*****
This raises serious concerns about TSA Management’s intent and use of surveillance cameras in the work place.***** While the use of
security cameras strictly for security purposes can enhance a work environment, the use of such recording devices to monitor and/or
listen in on crews conversations in an area where we socialize and speak freely away from the listening ears of passengers is very
concerning.***** In addition, without adequate protections in a surveillance policy similar to those regarding FDR and CVR usage, the
use of such recording devices can be used inappropriately by management.***** This leaves every crew member utilizing the Dulles crewroom
vulnerable to company discipline ranging from non-company internet browsing to tracking crews whereabouts for junior assignments.*****
While it is unclear if the Company monitors conversations, crews should be cognizant of the possibility in any part of a crewroom under
surveillance.***** Every action or inaction by a crew member in the IAD crewroom is now recorded and retrievable by management.***** There
may even be live monitoring as well.*****
*****
While the Association is not against added security in crewrooms, adequate protections and a well thought out surveillance policy should
exist.***** The Association filed a grievance on the installment of cameras in the crewroom.***** In the meantime, crews should not tamper with
surveillance devices and can object to their usage by not utilizing the crew facilities except when absolutely necessary.
*****
Company Discipline Tactics
*****
Recent events continue to amaze me when it comes to company discipline.***** In the Fall of 2008, Management began to wage war on this
pilot group by enacting zero tolerance discipline polices.***** Disciplinary measures for minor infractions typically carried a written verbal
warning or at most a letter of reprimand.***** Now those same minor infractions carry a 3-day suspension or greater.***** Typically, suspensions
were withheld for the most serious infractions and were mostly used only when progressive disciplined warranted it.***** Now the progressive
discipline policy has been thrown out the window and appears to be dead despite the fact it is still a published policy.********** It is clearly unfair
to employees to have a published policy that is contrary to management’s practice and actions.
*****
In general, corporate discipline policies are created to provide a safe, organized, productive and non-discriminatory work place.***** Policies
are suppose to be uniform, fair and published.***** In addition, policies should be created for the many employees and not for the rare
exceptions. *****Presently, TSA management is failing miserably at accomplishing these goals.***** I would certainly question if TSA is practicing
their published policies and if their practices reflect a fair, uniform and non-discriminatory work place.***** Typically, discipline is supposed
to be with the intent to correct unacceptable behavior at the lowest warranted penalty level.***** Yet TSA management believes an employee
with the company for 10 years with no prior discipline deserves a 3 day suspension for misreading a schedule and causing a 7 minute delay.**********
Prior to this time frame, this incident would have resulted in nothing more than a written verbal warning if any discipline at all.***** On the
other hand, a management pilot who allegedly fails to start the second engine, attempts to take-off and falsifies an aircraft discrepancy
gets no discipline.***** I guess it all depends where you sit.
*****
I can’t help but question the Company’s motive when it comes to its discipline practices.***** I have watched suspensions go from just a few
in 2008 to close to 30 in 2009 with similar practices occurring in 2010.***** It reminds me of a Management 101: Union Busting Playbook
article – Hostage Taking.***** This article (archived on the TSA MEC website) highlighted how this management tactic diverts Association
resources away from negotiations into defending pilot unjust discipline cases.***** Certain members of management hide behind one another
and try to blame others for their harsh discipline tactics.***** But I truly believe these measures are sanctioned and condoned by the top.***** It is
more than just a management tactic but a culture and strategy of control.***** Create a zero tolerance operation, wait for a pilot to make a
mistake, find fault and punish.***** Through fear and intimidation they control.***** Don’t get me wrong, many pilots didn’t have clean hands and
may have deserved some level of discipline and in some cases a suspension may have been appropriate but when management creates a
work environment where the slightest infraction is met with disproportionate discipline there is only one place to look…the owner and CEO.*****
Trans States top management has an obligation to its employees to administer fair discipline practices and when they fail to do so they lose
the respect of their employees.***** I strongly encourage TSA management to return to published policies and to stop the indefensible practices
currently ongoing.
Surveillance Cameras in Crewrooms
*****
A month ago, Trans States management installed surveillance cameras in the IAD crewroom without notification to the pilot group
or the Association.***** On April 13th, I sent an email to Chief Pilot, Capt. Randy Zehnder, inquiring why it was necessary after all these
years to install them now.***** I also asked a dozen questions about their capability, locations and planned policy usage.***** On May 3rd, I
received a letter dated April 20th from Director of Operations, Mike White, which outlined the reasons for installing the cameras was
due to recent events.***** Specifically, he cites a flight attendant complaint about a partially undressed pilot, illegal computer usage,
Non-Company related internet browsing, and vandalism and mischief (i.e. April Fools Day merger announcement letter).***** None of the
other questions regarding surveillance camera capability and usage were addressed.***** One of the area’s most objectionable to the
Association is the installment of cameras in the sleep room.***** While the sleep rooms may not be a private room, one would expect a
certain level of privacy while sleeping.***** The need for cameras in this room is highly objectionable and has made many crew members
feel uneasy about sleeping in a room while under surveillance.***** This equates to borderline voyeurism in many pilots eyes and impinges
on a reasonable expectation to privacy while you sleep.***** For many, the installment of a camera in the sleep room has rendered it useless.
*****
Recently, a pilot was terminated for placing a blanket over the camera in the sleep room.***** This allegedly resulted in the camera viewing
angle changing.********** TSA Management alleged the pilot attempted to damage the device and further cited the pilot with intentionally
disabling the function of a security device.***** While the pilot had no prior discipline, he was terminated for this event.***** The notion that a
pilot was trying to damage a security device with a soft blanket is utterly ridiculous.
*****
This raises serious concerns about TSA Management’s intent and use of surveillance cameras in the work place.***** While the use of
security cameras strictly for security purposes can enhance a work environment, the use of such recording devices to monitor and/or
listen in on crews conversations in an area where we socialize and speak freely away from the listening ears of passengers is very
concerning.***** In addition, without adequate protections in a surveillance policy similar to those regarding FDR and CVR usage, the
use of such recording devices can be used inappropriately by management.***** This leaves every crew member utilizing the Dulles crewroom
vulnerable to company discipline ranging from non-company internet browsing to tracking crews whereabouts for junior assignments.*****
While it is unclear if the Company monitors conversations, crews should be cognizant of the possibility in any part of a crewroom under
surveillance.***** Every action or inaction by a crew member in the IAD crewroom is now recorded and retrievable by management.***** There
may even be live monitoring as well.*****
*****
While the Association is not against added security in crewrooms, adequate protections and a well thought out surveillance policy should
exist.***** The Association filed a grievance on the installment of cameras in the crewroom.***** In the meantime, crews should not tamper with
surveillance devices and can object to their usage by not utilizing the crew facilities except when absolutely necessary.
*****
Company Discipline Tactics
*****
Recent events continue to amaze me when it comes to company discipline.***** In the Fall of 2008, Management began to wage war on this
pilot group by enacting zero tolerance discipline polices.***** Disciplinary measures for minor infractions typically carried a written verbal
warning or at most a letter of reprimand.***** Now those same minor infractions carry a 3-day suspension or greater.***** Typically, suspensions
were withheld for the most serious infractions and were mostly used only when progressive disciplined warranted it.***** Now the progressive
discipline policy has been thrown out the window and appears to be dead despite the fact it is still a published policy.********** It is clearly unfair
to employees to have a published policy that is contrary to management’s practice and actions.
*****
In general, corporate discipline policies are created to provide a safe, organized, productive and non-discriminatory work place.***** Policies
are suppose to be uniform, fair and published.***** In addition, policies should be created for the many employees and not for the rare
exceptions. *****Presently, TSA management is failing miserably at accomplishing these goals.***** I would certainly question if TSA is practicing
their published policies and if their practices reflect a fair, uniform and non-discriminatory work place.***** Typically, discipline is supposed
to be with the intent to correct unacceptable behavior at the lowest warranted penalty level.***** Yet TSA management believes an employee
with the company for 10 years with no prior discipline deserves a 3 day suspension for misreading a schedule and causing a 7 minute delay.**********
Prior to this time frame, this incident would have resulted in nothing more than a written verbal warning if any discipline at all.***** On the
other hand, a management pilot who allegedly fails to start the second engine, attempts to take-off and falsifies an aircraft discrepancy
gets no discipline.***** I guess it all depends where you sit.
*****
I can’t help but question the Company’s motive when it comes to its discipline practices.***** I have watched suspensions go from just a few
in 2008 to close to 30 in 2009 with similar practices occurring in 2010.***** It reminds me of a Management 101: Union Busting Playbook
article – Hostage Taking.***** This article (archived on the TSA MEC website) highlighted how this management tactic diverts Association
resources away from negotiations into defending pilot unjust discipline cases.***** Certain members of management hide behind one another
and try to blame others for their harsh discipline tactics.***** But I truly believe these measures are sanctioned and condoned by the top.***** It is
more than just a management tactic but a culture and strategy of control.***** Create a zero tolerance operation, wait for a pilot to make a
mistake, find fault and punish.***** Through fear and intimidation they control.***** Don’t get me wrong, many pilots didn’t have clean hands and
may have deserved some level of discipline and in some cases a suspension may have been appropriate but when management creates a
work environment where the slightest infraction is met with disproportionate discipline there is only one place to look…the owner and CEO.*****
Trans States top management has an obligation to its employees to administer fair discipline practices and when they fail to do so they lose
the respect of their employees.***** I strongly encourage TSA management to return to published policies and to stop the indefensible practices
currently ongoing.
