Trans states pilots need to up the ante!

[TEN HUT]

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.

I'd boycott that f...n crew room.

Captains, FO's, and FA's gab your paper work check your file and go somewhere else. Go to another airlines crew room if they'll still let ya, it's been light years since I was there. In and out with a paper bag over my head would be the new MO.

I'm preying for everyone that has to work at that dump.

Whats really funny here is the TSA defectors at Go-Jets; Claiming the TSA Union and pilots are f...n crazy and it's not the company, and this is why I went over to this new airline.

Welcome to Trans State's Holdings Everyone; This is what a Dan R. and Mike W's fa.t smells like.

Cheers,

TEN

 

[CX880]

How can you miss the insturments showing an engine not running?

Well, sometimes when the conversation gets good about cars and barns....... Actually it's very hard to attempt a single engine takeoff. It's the true that the knobs are out of your regular scan but the engine indicators are not. Plus the ERJ has a takeoff ok button you hit to make sure your configured for takeoff so you can't really "attempt" without knowing.

 

[CX880]

Whats really funny here is the TSA defectors at Go-Jets; Claiming the TSA Union and pilots are f...n crazy and it's not the company, and this is why I went over to this new airline.

That's not true maybe the original guys but people going right now are just refugees could care less about anything other than staying current. TSA pilot have been dealt a band hand though, you can't really blame them for what Hulas has done. Their union leaders are partly responsible though, that's what happens when you don't secure scope and play chicken with an owner that does not give a $hit about you and the pilot group.

Frankly my biggest thing with the GJ thing is didn't the MEC know that they were fighting a loosing battle? That there was no scope in the contract that prohibited GJ? If that was the case than that is gross negligence by them which completely screwed TSA. From what I've seen MECs historically care about one thing SCOPE! For some reason this was not so. Maybe some one can explain it. It's just a sad reality and hopefully there will be good results by this leadership.

 

[Sandhawk]

When you do 4-6 legs a day for four days you'll get it.

Shouldnt happen AT ALL but I've watched it happen twice.

All the reason more NOT to single-engine taxi.....

 

[great cornholio]

Plus the ERJ has a takeoff ok button you hit to make sure your configured for takeoff so you can't really "attempt" without knowing.

That button checks for 4 things... both engines running is not one of those things. So you would still get a "takeoff ok" as long as the other 4 things were in their correct positions.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

That button checks for 4 things... both engines running is not one of those things. So you would still get a "takeoff ok" as long as the other 4 things were in their correct positions.

I just thought about this yesterday morning....kinda ironic isnt it?

 

[urflyingme?!]

cx880 you are scum.

 

[Shrek]

Agrees...in only 9 months I've seen it happen to both a Waterski 145 AND a Chi-public-shuttle-frontier-west 140. It's just one little knob that can be overlooked if you're EXTREMELY fatigued (I mean like falling over fatigued or something).

Come to think of it...given my physical condition back then...I'm shocked I never forgot it.

Who decides if you are fit for flight or not........

50 people are trusting their lives that you made the "right" decision.

It isn't an easy one but should have been made. And yes, there has been times when I knew I shouldn't have started a day because of my lack of rest from the the night before.

 

[35off]

removed, all ready covered.

 

[CX880]

cx880 you are scum.

I'm not the one that flys for Mesa dude. hahaha