HHD

[jimntx]

Re: Happy01's post about the lack of ability to track the devices. BINGO! Now, I understand what the problem is. At AA, every device has a id code--not a bar code, but like a serial number. That serial number is associated with a particular a/c tail code. If I have one onboard that does not work, I call an 800 number as soon as we are on the ground (at a major station, of course), and notify them I have a non-working device/used up battery/whatever. Cabin Services brings me a replacement device or battery while we are at the gate (if, of course they have one in stock, but even that problem seems to be clearing up, finally).

We always have at least 2 devices on every a/c;so, if one dies, we have a backup. As far as the people who are doubting the statements that devices are being vandalized. I know it happened, and is still happening, here at AA. Just one for instance: The stylus is attached to the device with metal cord. It cannot be "accidentally" torn off; yet, I often find devices with the stylus missing.

There are still some f/as at AA who will say openly that "I will never use those devices until our contract is changed to compensate us for the extra work." Oh, yeah. Keeping record of change owed to passengers on the back of a napkin is SO much easier than recording it in a device that calculates the amount owed to the passenger and records their seat number. And, transmitting the sales info upon landing is such a pain compared to filling out a liquor envelope, have every f/a on the a/c record their sales and sign it, balance the money to what they entered, complete the envelope, enter the deposit in the computer and find the friggin' safe at 11:30 at night while the rest of the crew holds the van to the short layover hotel for you.

Those same f/as believe that if the destroy enough of the devices, the company will give up and forget about using them. That is NOT going to happen.

 

[ussnark]

As far as the people who are doubting the statements that devices are being vandalized. I know it happened, and is still happening, here at AA. Just one for instance: The stylus is attached to the device with metal cord. It cannot be "accidentally" torn off; yet, I often find devices with the stylus missing.

I understand your feelings, but, at US, with the way carts and equipment gets slammed around in the galley, I can easily envision how a stylus can get separated from a device.

It would seem to me that one must first eliminate all the other possibilities before blaming one's employees.

 

[Whatnow?]

I understand your feelings, but, at US, with the way carts and equipment gets slammed around in the galley, I can easily envision how a stylus can get separated from a device.

It would seem to me that one must first eliminate all the other possibilities before blaming one's employees.

Actually, the HHD's are housed in a static atlas container or galley compartment and are not removed from the A/C.....so the possibility of them being damaged is more than likely coming from whomever is handling the device. EVERYTHING... jimntx described about the HHD's at AA are EXACTLY what is happening at US!

 

[UPNAWAY]

We do have AC interior vandalism a lot and I can't help but think most of it is from disgruntled FA's and not someone else that has access to the Aircrafts. Of course that is almost impossible to prove unless you catch them red handed or one of the colleges rats them out. It is to bad so many cannot be professional and just do their jobs like the rest of the non-unionized world does.

 

[galley princess]

F/As are embarassed by the crummy a/c interiors. They certainly don't add to it. I know F/As that wash the walls of every a/c they get on. I've seen them carry spray Lysol and spray and wipe down the entire bathroom. I routinely find myself washing tray tables, usually when some poor pax has opened up their tray to a great big coffee/crumb stain. I do this because I take that moment personally and I'm embarassed.

To level an accusation like that just demonstrates how far you are from the a/c.

Companies that have unions deserve them, and US is no exception.

Every successful company follows one mantra:
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

Make it easy for people to use, and they'll use it. The destruction of HHDs stem from larger issues, which US has shown no interest in resolving.

Keep blaming the employees for everything. That's so effective.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> Of course that is almost impossible to prove unless you catch them red handed or one of the colleges rats them out.

Why would a college release the names of students enrolled in its classes?

Hmmm, Galley Vandalization 101 at the Community College of Beaver County...

 

[legacy-to-LCC]

We do have AC interior vandalism a lot and I can't help but think most of it is from disgruntled FA's and not someone else that has access to the Aircrafts. Of course that is almost impossible to prove unless you catch them red handed or one of the colleges rats them out. It is to bad so many cannot be professional and just do their jobs like the rest of the non-unionized world does.

aircraft vandalism? nobody, absolutely nobody, has done more vandalism to the us east fleet and product than our america west management "team"!! let's start there, shall we? closets removed, product raped, plastic glasses, etc., etc...

that being said, i have never heard of any f/a willingly destroying an hhd! they are already broken as it is...no effort required, even if somebody actually wanted to destroy it--which is total BS, too--the chances of them encountering a working hhd is remote, to say the least...

 

[700UW]

In my 17 years plus about 2/3s of it being utility I have NEVER seen or witnessed vandalism onboard an aircraft.

 

[Whatnow?]

F/As are embarassed by the crummy a/c interiors. They certainly don't add to it. I know F/As that wash the walls of every a/c they get on. I've seen them carry spray Lysol and spray and wipe down the entire bathroom. I routinely find myself washing tray tables, usually when some poor pax has opened up their tray to a great big coffee/crumb stain. I do this because I take that moment personally and I'm embarassed.

To level an accusation like that just demonstrates how far you are from the a/c.

Companies that have unions deserve them, and US is no exception.

Every successful company follows one mantra:
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

Make it easy for people to use, and they'll use it. The destruction of HHDs stem from larger issues, which US has shown no interest in resolving.

Keep blaming the employees for everything. That's so effective.

While I do agree with you that there are a lot of crewmembers out there that DO care about the appearance of the A/C that they are on....we also have the one's that could care less and show a total disregard for their working environment.....I've seen it first hand as a F/A working with said crewmembers. It's those Sharpie wielding F/A's that are defacing galleys and lavs. I've talked to Maintenance and A/C Appearance and they are having a heck of a time removing all of the Sharpie graffitti from all of the A/C. As far as the HHD's go....I've also seen firsthand the total disregard and reckless handling of them from my fellow crewmembers. We certainly have a lot of ANGRY crewmembers out there that seem to take things out on our A/C and our working supplies making it harder for the crewmembers that just want to do their job and call it a day. <_<

 

[ussnark]

Actually, the HHD's are housed in a static atlas container or galley compartment and are not removed from the A/C.....so the possibility of them being damaged is more than likely coming from whomever is handling the device. EVERYTHING... jimntx described about the HHD's at AA are EXACTLY what is happening at US!

I see way too many of those devices laying out on the counter next to the trash, balanced on ledges while carts are stowed/unstowed and even saw one accidentally dropped on the (wet) floor where it was stepped on by a (co-operating) passenger. The damage occurs, in part, because it is used in a very high energy environment. and it is easy to damage.

It is pretty expensive to maintain a cheap environment. If one is to use old tech. like a stylus, then one should include breakage and subsequent repair in the budget, something I have yet to see tempe do. Instead, they "sell" a new system that is really cheap to a clueless executive branch who has yet to learn what questions to ask. Then, when the cost of the change spirals out of control, tempe blames the end user, in this case, the FA. Brilliant.

I am not naive enough to presume not one FA would ever deliberately vandalize company property. But, after witnessing, time and again, the same process, with no apparent learning progress in evidence, it become boringly pathetic to see management continually point fingers at the FA group to divert attention from management's continued mistakes.

 

[USstew23]

I hope I didn't give the impression that I think you are stupid. That's certainly not the case. I have seen many times where flight attendants are upset over something or are told by a customer that something isn't right and then fail to pass that information on in the correct manner. I know I've been guilty of that myself.

If you want something to change you have to be persistent and professional. Management takes people much more seriously when you explain the problem, offer solutions and how those solutions will benefit the customer and the company.

Not to be rude or offensive but have you ever heard of someone called Mr. Obvious? I can't speak for everyone but I'm pretty sure that this is where common sense kicks in.. I'm not sure of other airlines but as for the old US common sense, professionalism, and situational awareness were pretty much a standard requirement for getting a second interview. "Leading by example" boy weren't those the days!

 

[USstew23]

It is to bad so many cannot be professional and just do their jobs like the rest of the non-unionized world does.

and thank you once again for your comprehensive and coherent opinion.. maybe you should go work at Wal Mart if that's how you feel!

 

[ussnark]

It is to bad so many cannot be professional and just do their jobs like the rest of the non-unionized world does.

I would suggest that if non-union, it is because management really knows how to manage, thereby obviating a need for a union. Perhaps "direction" from your beloved management is lacking or severely twisted.

Tempe's management techniques are "fear, uncertainty and doubt" with as much "belittlement of the workers" as they feel HR will let them get away with. Belittling experience is their idea of keeping costs low.

Without a union, believe me, it would be much worse.

 

[700UW]

I guess he/she needs to ask why the industry is one of the highest percentage of workers being in a union.

And the highest percentage and the highest paid would be WN, gee isnt that shocking, NOT!

 

[ussnark]

I guess he/she needs to ask why the industry is one of the highest percentage of workers being in a union.

And the highest percentage and the highest paid would be WN, gee isnt that shocking, NOT!

How do we fire the incompetent fools in tempe (most everyone)?

(Shameful info) while riding the SW jumpseat, to find that the copilot makes more per hour than most US captains.

Why do the employees at US tolerate such incompetence?