I Make US fly!

[USCREW]

Here's more entertainment...
I was on a lay-over recently, and my crew and I went down to the pool. Of course we were not in uniform and therefore not identifiable. Right next to us was a West crew, sunning and chillin'. We heard one say, "They're not gonna know what hit 'em when we come to PHL and take over their international routes. Rome, here I come!". We sat straight up, our ears popped right out, and we stared at them. Our "B" F/A went over to them and said, "Hi, are you guys AW? We're USAir. You guys must be really senior!". They said, " Yeah, I have 14 years, he has 8, and she has 10.". Our F/A said, "Sorry but you won't even be able to hold domestic, and your COLLECTIVE seniority wouldn't be able to hold ROME!"

 

[EricLv2Fish]

Dahhhhhhhmmmm, this is some funny stuff! Successfully created does not equate to successfully launched, implemented nor successfully achieved.

Marketing to launch a campaign to enlighten employees??? Educate employees? It took six (6) months??? Buwhahhahahahaha......impressive.

Note to US -- your employees are not lemmings that will instantly change into company cheerleaders after being led to the brainwash center (yet another freakin' video) for reprogramming. Sheesh, wonder why there is so much negativity?

It's going to take time. Call it what you will, but at least an effort is being put forth. The proof will be in the pudding IF US Airways remains profitable AFTER the merger is complete AND contracts put in-place prior to one certificate come up for negotiations. I'm guessing 3-4 years before the first contracts expire.

 

[murphy]

6 months to make a branding video for employees?

Why couldn't they spend those resources on making a web site that works?

Why couldn't they spend those resources responding to customer complaints?

Jetsetter, I know you mean well, but The resources could have been better spent improving the operation of the airline and its components...

Presumably the people who worked on the marketing campaign aren't web developers or customer relations agents. The website rollout was poorly implemented, but I'm not sure what that has to do with a marketing video.

Give all the employees a damn wage increase already!

Two profitable quarters (one barely profitable), and here it comes. Like a crackhead with a welfare check. Why not save a little on the off chance that the industry takes a downturn? Why not pay down some debt? Why not use some for capital improvements? Why not use some for judicious expansion?

 

[PITbull]

Two profitable quarters (one barely profitable), and here it comes. Like a crackhead with a welfare check. Why not save a little on the off chance that the industry takes a downturn? Why not pay down some debt? Why not use some for capital improvements? Why not use some for judicious expansion?

Why not take take your mantra to the Execs who took bonuses and cashed in stock options that didn't expire until 2012????

 

[murphy]

Why not take take your mantra to the Execs who took bonuses and cashed in stock options that didn't expire until 2012????

I would if they posted here. I think options are a lousy form of compensation. They tend to encourage managers to make decisions based on quarterly numbers, instead of the long term health of the company. Wall Street doesn't care where US will be in 10 years - they want earnings now. Profit sharing is a much better form of incentive pay.

 

[barbeetantrums]

I don't even have a VHS anymore. Why don't they just create an audio version of this pep talk on 8-track?

 

[murphy]

I think it goes to allocation of resources and addressing customer facing issues more promptly

I understand, I just don't think it's a fair point. Hopefully, US is able to do marketing and customer service at the same time. This is totally off-topic, but do you know if the same group that did the FF integration and web site rollout is doing the rest of the IT integration? I'm sure they're good people, but they're clearly out of their depth. The part that they did (and botched) was the easy part. It only gets harder.

 

[700UW]

Eric,

Contracts don't expire in the Airline Industry, they become amendable, if they expired we would be free to strike as soon as they end.

All contracts are amendable in 2009.

And the RLA was set up to protect business, not employees.

 

[a320av8r]

I don't even have a VHS anymore. Why don't they just create an audio version of this pep talk on 8-track?

???
Who said anything about VHS?

 

[US1YFARE]

I AM FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL AT ALL TIMES!

Well, maybe you should teach something to your West co-workers because I am totally unimpressed with what this merger has brought the customers, biz travelers in particular. Your website sucks. Your customer response sucks. Your first class product sucks. Your coach seat pitch sucks. Your pricing structure sucks. Your FF program sucks. The arrogance of the Sandcastle sucks.

 

[jerseyfinn]

From a pax perspective.

Jetsetter, I do not doubt your sincerity or your team's desire to see US become a better AND a profitable airline. Those of us who have stuck with you guys are certainly on the same page in that regard.

But I'm kind of scratching my head and wondering what in the world US corporate is doing investing 6 months of resource, money & effort to produce this so-called "I Make US Fly" motivational program. To be perfectly blunt, you've got the entire idea wrong. As every pax already knows, WE make US fly, so we're the ones you should be handing the T shirts to ( have you got one in teal blue?).

Bear with me, as I'm not trying to be contrite or condescending here. But if your current employees don't know what the ball game is, then why are they even there in the first place? It's now about how the product will work for the pax who are buying the seats. In that regard, I think there's lots of things to work out yet. And the last thing I want to see as a pax are cutsey buttons and T shirts.

Many employee threads here reflect a robust discussion about improvements/changes which could have distinct impact upon the product experience and pax perceptions/satisfaction with US. Most of my flying with US is TA or with East folks, and I just don't picture these folks being in a mood for a pep rally. And as a pax, I don't see how this does anything for either pax or employees.

As already noted, the web site is gnarly, your elites are clueless as to what DM is or will be in the future as we try to remain loyal to the program, operational issues remain unresolved in some places, and yes, the US Air magazine sucks. Despite great earnings, your employees are still stinging from the effects of give backs and cuts.

I've seen my share of motivational roll outs in my job, and I'll tell you right now, in the absence of a clear and coherent plan/vision, it goes over like a SBD fart in church. It's my opinion that the majority of US employees want to do the job and get it right ( even allowing for some of the negativity which is inherent to PHL -- but I live there and understand it even I don't accept it). It looks to me as if a huge culture gap exists between east/west and T-shirts ain't gonna help.

Best of luck with the plan, but I think that management better focus elsewhere if teamwork, profitability and customer satisfaction is the goal.

respectfully,

Barry

 

[US1YFARE]

Rome, here I come!".

I think they were talking about Rome, New York, silly...they really don't think they will be flying international flights do they?

 

[Jetsetter2Ord]

From a pax perspective.

Jetsetter, I do not doubt your sincerity or your team's desire to see US become a better AND a profitable airline. Those of us who have stuck with you guys are certainly on the same page in that regard.

But I'm kind of scratching my head and wondering what in the world US corporate is doing investing 6 months of resource, money & effort to produce this so-called "I Make US Fly" motivational program. To be perfectly blunt, you've got the entire idea wrong. As every pax already knows, WE make US fly, so we're the ones you should be handing the T shirts to ( have you got one in teal blue?).

Bear with me, as I'm not trying to be contrite or condescending here. But if your current employees don't know what the ball game is, then why are they even there in the first place? It's now about how the product will work for the pax who are buying the seats. In that regard, I think there's lots of things to work out yet. And the last thing I want to see as a pax are cutsey buttons and T shirts.

Many employee threads here reflect a robust discussion about improvements/changes which could have distinct impact upon the product experience and pax perceptions/satisfaction with US. Most of my flying with US is TA or with East folks, and I just don't picture these folks being in a mood for a pep rally. And as a pax, I don't see how this does anything for either pax or employees.

As already noted, the web site is gnarly, your elites are clueless as to what DM is or will be in the future as we try to remain loyal to the program, operational issues remain unresolved in some places, and yes, the US Air magazine sucks. Despite great earnings, your employees are still stinging from the effects of give backs and cuts.

I've seen my share of motivational roll outs in my job, and I'll tell you right now, in the absence of a clear and coherent plan/vision, it goes over like a SBD fart in church. It's my opinion that the majority of US employees want to do the job and get it right ( even allowing for some of the negativity which is inherent to PHL -- but I live there and understand it even I don't accept it). It looks to me as if a huge culture gap exists between east/west and T-shirts ain't gonna help.

Best of luck with the plan, but I think that management better focus elsewhere if teamwork, profitability and customer satisfaction is the goal.

respectfully,

Barry

Thanks Barry,

Appreciate your opinion and honesty.

Have you contacted anyone at corporate to let them know from a passengers perspective the problems that you are being faced with?

I would be happy to direct you to the right person to contact if need be.

In regards to the "I make US fly" campaign, some may feel that this is a wasted investment. Others feel it is a necessary tool to educate the employees as to what our New Corporate branding is.

You would be amazed at how many employees still think they are a legacy carrier when we are actually the largest Low cost carrier.

Many employees feel its business as usual..and we all know where business as usual got the old US.

This employee campaign is to help alleviate the East vs West mentality..hopefully it will educate and bring the employees together and feel equal to each other. Without it, there is too much negativity and pitting against one another as employee work groups.

From an employee standpoint, we are working to get fair contracts for all employees. Yes, I agree that we deserve some financial compensation. I am sure it will take time, but eventually we will prevail. There are different payscales for employees with the same senority from East and West, I am in that predicament where my counterparts are making $8 more per hour for the same years of service that I am working.

But I continue to do my job and provide a great product to our passengers with what tools I am provided with. We all know it is not the best, but there is always room for improvement.

I help make US fly from an employees perspective, I come to work, I ensure to provide our passengers with a pleasant flight, I am helpful and friendly. If each employee can continue to do their job and provide a friendly environment, we are headed in the right direction.

In regards to IT problems, FF issues, I am sure those who are in those departments are trying to correct and fix those issues. In order to get things fixed, we also need to know what is or is not working, please contact customer relations and let them know.

Thanks for the opinions of all...we are all entitled to voice ones opinion.

I Make US Fly!

 

[700UW]

Hey Jet,

Guess you have not read the thousands of complaints our passengers have sent about the moronic web page?

GO ask Piney Bob how little the beachcombers at the Sandcastle care.

Rule #1 you don't put a web page out unless it has been throughly tested, but we all know what Tempe did not do!

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> But I continue to do my job and provide a great product to our passengers with what tools I am provided with.

Such as threatening to taint a FF’s food:

<SNIP> Rule of thumb: never get a FA angry at you, remember, they do serve you food and drinks! <cough, cough, hack>