Preliminary Injunction Cliff Notes Update: August 19, 2011
New bag tags (box sent from USAPA to the CLT CP) say "I Am on Board. Safety First" in yellow and on back "I've had Enough. I Am Ready To Strike" on the back in red. Company shows evidence that it was sent from USAPA HQ, using their postage meter.
Company presented Tom Kubic's "roadmap to the slowdown". So far Darin Lee, Carrie Hester (Sr. VP) and Hogg have testified.
Hogg testified the longest. Carrie Hester was extremely articulate. Testified on general operational effect. Went almost unrefuted.
USAPA attorney tried to mix it up with Darin Lee over regression analysis and if it really proved anything. Bad idea, Mr. Lawyer.
As you can imagine, Dr. Lee demolished him. It was embarrassing. Read the transcripts yourselves.
Hemenway, Hogg, Carrie Hester, Paul Morell, Paul Jones were there. About 8 company people
Judge said "this court is a fact finder and truth seeker in a hotly contested matter."
Darin Lee was devastating. USAPA had nothing to refute him. Nothing. He presented in summary form his written testimony.
Bob Siegel company lead attorney was VERY animated!!! At one point, looking in Cleary's direction, slowly said Eee.....lee..gul (illegal)
Siegel's main question to the judge in opener : "Is there a concerted effort to disrupt operations?"
Carrie Hester: Baggage delivery fees up forty percent, delay complaints up 100 percent. All front line employees feeling the stress.
Carrie made the point that customers travel on us for time sensitive reasons like weddings and funerals.
Hogg said relations between ALPA safety committee and company were cordial. ALPA did not try and politicize safety.
Hogg said relations went downhill after Safety Operational Audit one year after merger. Many feedback forms contained profanity.
Company and FAA determined they were "not valid". Things got worse after USAPA changed feedback form address from USAirways to USAPA.
That's mostly why company declined to participate in Dr. Von Thaden's survey. Kubic really turned up the heat on the job action after that.
USAPA tried to make the point Hogg pushes airplanes in an usafe manner to double his salary with bonuses.
USAPA spent a good deal of time on the "fuel school" fiasco and the first USAToday ad. Hogg said it was only 6 or 7 out of 4,000 pilots.
General notes: Three TV stations outside after first part of hearing. Courtroom FREEZING! About eight East pilots in uniform in audience.
"Mr. Hogg, couldn't somebody from YOUR OWN COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT have sent them to incriminate USAPA?" I swear, that was the question.
USAPA hammered Lyle on his reliance on anonymous e-mails. "Couldn't anybody who reads the Charlotte Observer have sent them?"
USAPA asked Hogg about unapproved lanyards and why only now did they ban them? Hogg said it was always an FOM policy but only enforced now. Because divisiveness had reached unacceptable levels.
USAPA did ask Hogg why in Philly the gate signs say "Safety First", and why it was OK for the company to tout "Safety First" and not USAPA. Hogg said that was mainly for ramp people,a nd was not "officially sanctioned" by the company, but he agrees safety is paramount.
Lot of time spent by USAPA on the fumes issue. Apparently two pilots out on LTD over fumes. Hogg said cause is still "undetermined".
USAPA asked Hogg why Kubic was not asked to join Flight Operations Safety Board. Hogg didn't answer. Hogg did say that FOSB has representation from a PHX and a PHL Rep.
At the end of the day A330 Captain Valerie Wells testified. She was the Captain who had the incident USAPA discussed in their $153,000 USA Today ad. US Airways has not cross examined Wells yet.
The case will resume at 9:30 am Monday morning.