Jester,
Though contracting out jobs to vendors is a situation, I agree with ''road'', you have to
have that in your agreement, to ensure this is not pursued. I personally don't think the company
would go 100% in that direction if they had the choice, maybe in smaller stations but the larger
ones would prove to difficult to deal with as far as the fleet is concerned.
An example of a vendor coming into play has already occured in places on the property already
but I can only speak for PHL. In utilities the contracted out jobs have shown thier value. Just look
at the appearance of our A/C and read all the complaints our passengers file on a daily basis. The
company will tell you it was ''cost feasible'', and while that may be the case it is not good in the
long term for customer satisfaction and the growth of other airlines in Phl. Passengers are slowly
getting the choice of what airline they want to fly. We had them in a strangle hold when it came to
options and the hold is slipping.
In frieght, where there is a direct connection to the fleet, our operation has slipped. We take cargo
delays and are forced to scratch loads due to bad communication, damaged pieces and frieght not
being brought to plane side or taken to the frieght facility in a timely manner. I know a few not many
drivers who continue to complain about the service provided by NAS but the company's response is
never, ''we have to think of giving these jobs back to the fleet'' it is however ''thank you for your
concerns and we will look into the matter''.
Hiring a vendor may work in some situations in a different vocation but in the airline division where
everything from mishandeled baggage to on time performance are rated and ranked you
need to ensure the employees are yours so you as a manager or worker can interact directly with
the agents performing the job.
Now before you say were ranked and rated near the bottom often I need you to look at prior
to all the concessions and oddly the growth of our airline while concessions were being made.
It can not be overstated enough, ''you get what you pay for''. The pool of perspective employees
becomes less when the appeal of the wages and long term prospects seems bleak. When many of us
were hired this was a job that offered you a means to foundation to start. The company has removed
that foundation and they still seek a ''good worker''. That will not occur.
Bottom line Vendors are indeed ''cost effective'' , Thier effectiveness has a cost and not in the
good way.....
I hope this explains my views on your question.
Thanks