Aircraft maint issues

[swamt]

Great news.
We either expand our maintenance by reducing outsourcing or maybe AA wants to consolidate. PHX, PIT, PHL, CLT to one major base.

1AA, Am I missing something here? It seems to be a reduction from space accommodating 6AC (hagrs 3&4) to accommodating 4AC (hagr 7) is not a reduction in capacity? Now that I see others calling it good news, I am wondering if I read something wrong here.

 

[Birdman]

Last I heard they were not using Hangar 80 (Romano hangar) which is across runway from base. It could house at least 2 ac. Would like to see a current dock plan to see how many docks on base are being used. There were over 20 docks available when I left in 2013. BTW, it takes a lot of renovation to keep up with WWII vintage hangars.

 

[2ndGENAMT]

Hangar 80 does 2 737 B checks every night. Hangar 7 is just Rumor as far as I know.

 

[BeechDriver]

Last I heard they were not using Hangar 80 (Romano hangar) which is across runway from base. It could house at least 2 ac. Would like to see a current dock plan to see how many docks on base are being used. There were over 20 docks available when I left in 2013. BTW, it takes a lot of renovation to keep up with WWII vintage hangars.

The TUL Base Planning Sheet is available on the TUL Base Web page.
From what I have heard h hangar 3 has foundtion issues that make renovations to accept 737s on the north and south end bays impractical. Hanger 4 has two bays on each end one of which appears being used to temporarily store surplus equipment and supplies that the new leadership wants to unload. The other bay is the last full time MD80 line. Hangar 80 which is considered a line operation, is home to two full time 7/365 737 B checks. As of today docks 1C, 2D, 3A, 3D, 4D, 5D, 5F, 6B, and 6C have no revenue aircraft in them. 2D has the DC3 in it. There are no wide body aircraft docked on the base. There are only ten aircraft here for LC or HC checks, one of which is on day 33 of 73 for corrosion in the aft cargo due to outsource maintenance leaving lav ducts unsecured. The company is saying it was MIA's fault kind of like they said the 757 seat debacle was Tulsa's fault. Three aircraft here for mods. In the past we would fix anything here in Tulsa including an MD80 that usair side swiped with a 737. Nose section below the pressure deck and fwd of 110 fully replaced. Skins replaced on both sides of fuselage. 4XW buckled and cracked fuselage from hard landing, belly reskinned fwd and aft of the center section. The tree trimmer from Hartford. Too many to count. Field trips, DC10 in the cesspool in San Juan, firebird in STL.... too many to count. Tulsa is a shadow of what it once was and is being managed into oblivion.

 

[B737 driver]

The TUL Base Planning Sheet is available on the TUL Base Web page.
From what I have heard h hangar 3 has foundtion issues that make renovations to accept 737s on the north and south end bays impractical. Hanger 4 has two bays on each end one of which appears being used to temporarily store surplus equipment and supplies that the new leadership wants to unload. The other bay is the last full time MD80 line. Hangar 80 which is considered a line operation, is home to two full time 7/365 737 B checks. As of today docks 1C, 2D, 3A, 3D, 4D, 5D, 5F, 6B, and 6C have no revenue aircraft in them. 2D has the DC3 in it. There are no wide body aircraft docked on the base. There are only ten aircraft here for LC or HC checks, one of which is on day 33 of 73 for corrosion in the aft cargo due to outsource maintenance leaving lav ducts unsecured. The company is saying it was MIA's fault kind of like they said the 757 seat debacle was Tulsa's fault. Three aircraft here for mods. In the past we would fix anything here in Tulsa including an MD80 that usair side swiped with a 737. Nose section below the pressure deck and fwd of 110 fully replaced. Skins replaced on both sides of fuselage. 4XW buckled and cracked fuselage from hard landing, belly reskinned fwd and aft of the center section. The tree trimmer from Hartford. Too many to count. Field trips, DC10 in the cesspool in San Juan, firebird in STL.... too many to count. Tulsa is a shadow of what it once was and is being managed into oblivion.

Almost sounds like TWA old maint base in Kansas City!

 

[chilokie1]

Maybe the place needs a facelift so they can get the best price when they sell the joint to the highest bidder.

They do not own the facility, the city owns it

 

[1AA]

They do not own the facility, the city owns it

Maybe AA is responsible to maintain a certain level of appearance and condition before it's returned back to the city. Just like a leased car or a apartment rental.

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

That means nothing. I have seen a ton of companies spend tons of money only to announce closure a few months later. I am sure other people on this forum have seen that before as well.

I hope not, but it has happened before.

Yes indeed.

If the current TWU scope is adjusted to the usair scope. Tulsa will lose about 1500 jobs.
Tulsa has alienated the line guys for many decades. Even thought many of those Tulsa guys will bump to the line. I predict that we line guys will accept the usair scope if the money and benefits are corrected..

Tulsa alienating the line has NOTHING to do with it. The fact is the line is going to pursue the deal that is best FOR THEM.

I mean why wouldn't they?

Can we at least make a lazy effort to be honest?

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

The TUL Base Planning Sheet is available on the TUL Base Web page.
From what I have heard h hangar 3 has foundtion issues that make renovations to accept 737s on the north and south end bays impractical. Hanger 4 has two bays on each end one of which appears being used to temporarily store surplus equipment and supplies that the new leadership wants to unload. The other bay is the last full time MD80 line. Hangar 80 which is considered a line operation, is home to two full time 7/365 737 B checks. As of today docks 1C, 2D, 3A, 3D, 4D, 5D, 5F, 6B, and 6C have no revenue aircraft in them. 2D has the DC3 in it. There are no wide body aircraft docked on the base. There are only ten aircraft here for LC or HC checks, one of which is on day 33 of 73 for corrosion in the aft cargo due to outsource maintenance leaving lav ducts unsecured. The company is saying it was MIA's fault kind of like they said the 757 seat debacle was Tulsa's fault. Three aircraft here for mods. In the past we would fix anything here in Tulsa including an MD80 that usair side swiped with a 737. Nose section below the pressure deck and fwd of 110 fully replaced. Skins replaced on both sides of fuselage. 4XW buckled and cracked fuselage from hard landing, belly reskinned fwd and aft of the center section. The tree trimmer from Hartford. Too many to count. Field trips, DC10 in the cesspool in San Juan, firebird in STL.... too many to count. Tulsa is a shadow of what it once was and is being managed into oblivion.

Correct me if I am wrong but if I remember correctly there is no 5B.

5A-F with no 5B correct?

It's been a while.

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

Tulsa is a shadow of what it once was and is being managed into oblivion.

Some might call that the "writing on the wall".

They do not own the facility, the city owns it

Maybe AA is responsible to maintain a certain level of appearance and condition before it's returned back to the city. Just like a leased car or a apartment rental.

I would say that is a pretty good hypothesis.

 

[BeechDriver]

I believe Tulsa will be around for a long time. If the present leadership gets the outsourcing that they have been given at usair and crave to have at AA, they will use attrition to diminish the headcount. I have heard from the local legacy management at TULE that usair and awa leadership are overwhelmed by this base. It's a huge machine that they have no idea how to run, same as the airline they are now in charge of. Their best solution is to outsource something they don't have the talent, ability, or experience to handle. I think the company might try to offer job protection to current employees to get the ability farm out jobs. Devide and conquer has always been a winning strategy for management.

 

[Deleted member 14439]

Am I reading this right Hog? You state that they are building a new hangar (7) in Tulsa. It will be a 4 aircraft hangar (holds up to 4 doors closed?). This will be in lieu of renovating hgrs 3&4. Then you state that the new 4 AC will replace the hgr 3&4 which is (was) 6 AC hgr. To me when I read this it's a reduction of 2 full lines of AC from 4 to 6. If your contract reads "space to accomodate mA/C maint." then they will in fact remove 2 lines of "space" therefore could get away with outsourcing those two lines. So I guess my last question would be how is that good news. Now if they are adding the 4AC hagr to the 6AC hagr's already there, then that would be good news. Again am I missing something here???

Yes , in part, you are correct. What you don`t know or see is that the Tulsa base has not been utilized to its full capacity in quite some time. Hangars 1,2,3,4 were built in the 1930s or 40s I believe. Even the "newest" hangar, Hgr6, is nearly 30 years old. I would think with reduced capacity and the age of the base, a new hangar 7 would make sense. I`m not on the ground in Tulsa but it sounds like 3&4 are mostly used for storage these days. What I do know for a fact is the base is under utilized. I see that every night when I check ASOM. Go take a look at the base on google maps. It really is a shell of its old self. I have friends in Tulsa and really hope this rumored hangar is built and maybe offers them some stability for awhile. -Hog

 

[Buck]

Is "divide" the same word when one cuts up something in thirds?

 

[swamt]

Yes , in part, you are correct. What you don`t know or see is that the Tulsa base has not been utilized to its full capacity in quite some time. Hangars 1,2,3,4 were built in the 1930s or 40s I believe. Even the "newest" hangar, Hgr6, is nearly 30 years old. I would think with reduced capacity and the age of the base, a new hangar 7 would make sense. I`m not on the ground in Tulsa but it sounds like 3&4 are mostly used for storage these days. What I do know for a fact is the base is under utilized. I see that every night when I check ASOM. Go take a look at the base on google maps. It really is a shell of its old self. I have friends in Tulsa and really hope this rumored hangar is built and maybe offers them some stability for awhile. -Hog

So the drop from a hangars holding 6AC down to 4AC is no worry? It actually sounds to me that Tulsa needs a major freakin update. But I must ask again, does the drop in aircraft maint. lines within the aircraft hangars worry anyone? As far as outsourcing is considered? That is what triggered my worries.

 

[Deleted member 14439]

So the drop from a hangars holding 6AC down to 4AC is no worry? It actually sounds to me that Tulsa needs a major freakin update. But I must ask again, does the drop in aircraft maint. lines within the aircraft hangars worry anyone? As far as outsourcing is considered? That is what triggered my worries.

I'd say no. The base is already operating far less than capacity. If they were at full capacity and elected to drop work, then yes it would be a problem. Again, I'm not up there. Just my observation