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[b727fa]

>>Call me stupid, but if everyone working the cabin has been thru the same training, why is there an issue?

That''s just the point, the two programs were/are still different. That''s the reason there is a process of taking a/c "over the fence." I don''t think you''re stupid...it was a fair question.

Regards,

 

[b727fa]

>>I may be nieve but I really doubt that management would announce something that they have worked out with the FAA if they really haven''t done so.

Again, nobody is saying that AA and the FAA didn''t "work it out." It''s just odd that they are able to "work this out" in one direction and not the other.

The issue is really nothing new: the Reno crews (pilots, specifically) were run around by MGT during their integration period. The difference was that their union (APA) stood up for them (to the point of being willing to strike) and didn''t fight the transition/integration of those men and women.

Either LLC is "An American Airlines Company" or it''s not. Either they are APFA or they are not. Either they have the ability to bid out to another base or they are not. Either you are JR in STL or you are not. If your DOH is JR to April 01, then you can''t hold STL...it''s just that simple. You can''t have it both ways. (I hope I don''t have to say that "You" refers to the collective "One.")

>>But seeing that all your seniority is in your boxer shorts you may know more than all of us.

BTW--I didn''t say "ALL" my seniority is in my boxer shorts...though I''m flattered.

Regards,

 

[TWAB717]

MiAAmi, why the hatred for Sherry Cooper? I can kind of understand because she is the only one in the APFA "association" who fights for what''s right. I''m sure glad she is on my side representing my base. You call her a thorn in the side since day one. My view is APFA has never faced a group of people with the talent and adversity of the TWA f/a''s. For at least the next 5 years of available recall, the fight won''t end, so I hope a thorn is something the nAAtives can learn to live with.

 

[AAStew]

I am not trying to add more fuel to the fire or stir the pot as some would say, but can some please try to undrstand the Naative side? Many f/''s who are being furloughed in the next few moths have been with American or AMR for years before they became flight attendants. Once THEY crossed ver to the flight attendant group they lost ALL Seniority for pay, Bidding, Furlough, you name it. The kept thier company seniority date which allows them to keep thier vacations. Now the TWA''rs come over, and they have kept all pay, and vacation seniority but they get amended onto the botttom of the AA FA''s list but keep their relative seniority at their base.
Please explain to me why TWA should be fully integrated in? Do you think it is fair that these others (some who have worked for AA for over 20 years also) should go down below you? I don''t think so. We all know the airline business is volatile. Stop already! Nobody is happy about any of this.

 

[upsilon]

Someone posted above "MIA hub is the true redheaded stepchild of AA". I''m not sure whether they were referring to the FA base or the AA hub itself.

But as a pax, I believe it applies to both: The airport and the AA terminals are both "the pits"; and MIA based FA come aboard with "an attitude". International are worse than domestic; but both have a bad reputation with pax.

 

[b727fa]

----------------
On 5/1/2003 3:30:35 PM AAStew wrote:

>>try to undrstand the Naative side? Many f/''s who are being furloughed in the next few moths have been with American or AMR for years before they became flight attendants. Once THEY crossed ver to the flight attendant group they lost ALL Seniority for pay, Bidding, Furlough, you name it. The kept thier company seniority date which allows them to keep thier vacations.

Respectfully, that example is no different at *any* airline. For example, the first class of "new-hires" at TWA (in ''99 when they started hiring again)was entirely internal transfer from Dept "X" to Dept Inflight. So what do you do with all those people? Should they be "more senior" to other F/A''s b/c their Company DOH is higher? No. When you come in to Inflight you start with that as a DOH. I don''t care if you were the gate agent for the Wright Brothers. If you came into Inflight in Year "X" then that''s what your "Inflight DOH" should be.

At my current airline those who were PT F/A''s who chose to become FT kept their DOH for V/C but lost their seniority on the line. It''s all about how long you''ve been flying...

Regards,

 

[AC AA LA FA]

Like any base/airline..there are good and there are bad...MIA is no exception..It depends on what day of the week it is and if the moon is full ect. I have worked with great MIA crews-horrible DFW crews and visa versa..
The culture of MIA is so different than any other base/city so you may think you may be in for "a wild ride" but thats not always case..."

 

[upsilon]

Interesting comment above on MIA based crew. I too have experienced good and bad FA from various bases. But as you say, "The culture of MIA is so different than any other base/city...etc"!.

I find this to also be true with the postings on this board. The MIA FA are the most predominant and by far the most militant. I think this is consistent with the "attitude" I see when flying.

Wonder what could be the cause? Maybe it is the heat; or possibly having to deal with the many pax originally from my adopted home base: NYC!

 

[AC AA LA FA]

On any given day..no matter where you are based..flying through MIA..after a layover..or hours sit time..one can say that the "flavor" of MIA Intl rubs off on you...The place is so jammed and being the crossroads of the Americas-and the logistics of the way the place is set up can lead to frayed nerves..then make it hot and muggy...
Many passangers may just assume a crew is based there when they could be comming froma layover or on sit time...who knows..I know after a long layover in the sun and sea..I could pass for a local tan and all!

The one thing to be said about MIA is that her people ( and crews) are very "passionate"..and I for one like that..I find it refreshing...

 

[flydcoop]

MIA the hub in general is pure chaos. But if I have a long sit time, MIA is the preferred choice. Just go sit in the terminal (drinking a cortadito, of course!) and watch the fun!

NYC has very much shaped MIA, half of the entire airport started in JFK/LGA/EWR. I still remember the first oversold JFK flight I worked as a gate agent, fresh from the South. I think those paxs are still picking bits of my flesh out of their teeth...LOL. I learned very quickly.

Regarding the militancy, on any given MIA crew, there is probably at least one ex-Eastern employee. The rumor is that in Eastern''s final days, Lorenzo had to walk through MIA with a bullet-proof vest and bodyguards.

Granted, I have flown with some nightmAAres from MIA, and those rotten apples most certainly spoil the bunch (to the point where I check the NS before picking up a trip)...they are bitter to Crew, Paxs, and themselves. I have also flown with MIA crew that totally deserved PFA awards.

The "redheaded step-child" rep comes from DFW and ORD. When I worked on the ramp, there was a day where, in 30mins, we had 1 vibrating bag and 2 unknown spills. This probably would have shut down other airports. Just another day at the M-I-A. Or you may have 1 push-back TUG for 7 gates b/c Automotive is backed up.

The best was when we had to lock up the phones b/c the contract cleaners (ABM- which stands for "Anybody but Me"- MIA joke) were stealing them.

I love this crazy station. The best way to get around is the moving sidewalk on the 3rd floor which no one (except MIA employees) seems to know about.

MIA the hub is a reflection of Miami the city. Try going to Walgreen''s or Publix in Dade County and you''ll see what I mean. If you are lucky, the clerk may cut their personal cell phone call short to help you!

One thing about MIA is that the gate agents will half-kill themselves to get NRSA/SB on a flight. Yeah, that priority list may have over 100 people on it (in MIA, it is a "suggestion" not a "reservation") but they will try. They may be short but they are trying to fill the plane up (without a delay) and get people OUT.

Much of MIA''s problem comes from interference by Dade County (which runs the airport). IMO, Dade County could screw up a tray of ice cubes. We will see if Ms. Gittens makes a dent.

I''m hoping that the exodus from "E-Opalocka" (high E satellite) to shiny new "A" will alleviate much of the drama of connecting through MIA. I have high hopes for the new airport layout. High "E" satellite was built by Pan Am for international arrivals ONLY. I could tell you horror stories about PAP (Haiti) and escalators, thank goodness PAP is confined to "C" now. I personally despise high-E because of the rancid, stale smell of Nathan''s hotdogs.

I find DFW horrible as a connection airport. It''s excellent if you''re local. ORD wins the 3 major hubs "connection contest".

Just my 2 cents (with a 15.6% cut)

Coop

 

[AC AA LA FA]

Coop-could not have embodied the "spirit" of the place better! A great place to visit...a crazy place to work or call home..but you gota love it..somewho..it all works..and has become very much a part of what AA is today-cheers!
AC

 

[upsilon]

Coop: Great response to my and other posts above! Keep your sprits up. You are much appreciated by most of us pax. I am an "old-head" AA Life-Plt w/mm butt seat miles on your a/c; but am still an active business traveler to and thry MIA.

I think I sort of comprehend the MIA style. In the late ''40s I "worked" the FLL public beach (as Life Guard). But that was a very long time ago! Beach life has sure changed since then!!!

 

[AAStew]

Coop most certainly got it right. I grew up there and that big noisy loud airport is what made me want to be a flight attendant. To this day when I go thru MIA I feel this is what an airport should be like. LOL. I love the "vida Loca" which goes with it. Miami crews are the best. My fisrt trip as an MIA purser years ago I tried to give my DCA/JFK style briefing, but they sat me down and said, Girl you have been gone too long, this is Miami we do things differently here. The crews are fantastic! Ah...I miss it.

 

[flydcoop]

upsilon - I''m trying to keep my spirits up...I just want to come back. As a MM PLT, you know more about the airplane than I do! LOL

AAStew - been "livin'' la gringa loca" since I got here! Most MIA crews are "certifiably insane" but so are many of the paxs!

MIA is the station where you may come to work thinking you''ve seen everything, only to be proven wrong! "Um, no, that car bumper IS NOT a carry-on item"

If you can''t beat ''em, join ''em. And why not? It''s free entertainment!

Coop

 

[flydcoop]

BTW AAStew, got your email, trying to respond but having trouble with my internet connection. Must be DC''s revenge via his seat on the Dell board...LOL.

fly safe,

Coop