Cavalier said: --- With that approach what do you really expect? I have another trade other than being an aircraft mechanic, so I do have other options. People will go on with or without U being alive, so holding a gun to ones head only creates rage not solutions. Debates are not going to change a thing.
Uinvestor says --- As I told the moderator, maybe my wording and tone was not proper for the boards. I apologize for my previous postings. I appreciate your rational reply to my question. Glad to see that you have another trade outside of the airline industry. You mentioned mechanics are needed nationwide. I have a few questions for you.
1.Are your fellow co-workers willing to uproot their families to move across country? If your company is liquidated, there won’t be any severance, so that is another major factor that a family must consider. It does cost several thousands to move a family. A job search can take weeks or months, without a severance package, have your co-workers thought about how they will provide for their families at the same salary level? I read on this board that many employees couldn’t afford to take the concessions that were being offered, but these same people are willing to risk losing their jobs and severance. That doesn’t make any sense.
2.How many of your co-workers in Tampa transferred AND moved their families to other cities?
I would expect the numbers are low, since families usually have two incomes and their spouse just can’t move without time to plan. Many people don’t desire to uproot their children out of their stable school environment.
3. With your aviation license as a mechanic, how does that translate with you being able to use those skills in another mechanical trade/occupation outside the airline industry? I would assume that you would need to have previous experience working on a particular device or training before one would be qualified to gain employment. If I am in error, please correct me.
4. Do you think that your IAM group will pass the latest rounds of concessions? One can look at the UAL situation with the mechanics stating that the company hasn’t provided enough proof that the company is losing 3.2 billion per year. How much more proof do you need before agreeing to concessions?
I agree with you 100%, there is life after usair whether you have a Plan B or not. BUT, if you can control your destiny with this company, I would choose what is best for your family. By liquidating the company and losing your severance wouldn’t be good for anyone. If you have a Plan B, it shouldn’t matter if you lose your job today or tomorrow based upon your analysis. Why not enter your new job with the peace of mind that you will have some benefits for a few months while pursue a job campaign?
I disagree that debates won’t change anything. Why do we have debates in politics? Why do companies have meetings with their employees to discuss current issues and problems? Why are there town hall or community meetings? While everyone has the free agency to vote yes or no, everyone should be fully aware of the pros and cons of their choice. Why do you discuss problems/issues with your spouse or family members?
To the no voters, why are you voting no? I haven’t read many valid reasons on this board yet.
Pitguy said: --- Valid arguments made. As a mechanic with a sound plan "B" I intend to vote no. But never less you have made some sound points and some employees should vote yes.
Uinvestor says --- Thank you Pitguy. Since you are anonymous on this board, with a solid plan B, why are you voting no and possibly risking any potential loss of benefits if your company liquidates? From reading this message board, it appears that usair management is awful and the employees hate working for the company. With so many other options, why is everyone still working for the company? If you could care less about any severance or benefits, why not leave now?
It is very easy to state that you are voting no and that you don’t care, but there is not one person in this world that doesn’t care about losing their employment. Don’t ruin the company for the few people who still like their jobs and depend upon the income and benefits.
Severed-N-Happy said: --- 25 days of vacation and 8 randomly bid holidays. A new CS agt with less than 6 years only accrues 10 days vac and 8 holidays, paid at 75 pct equals 14 days off total for the year. Big whoop, right? So at that rate there indeed are other jobs with similar pay and vac benefits without enduring. Therefore it no longer makes sense to consider working for U a career
Uinvestor says: --- Unless one works with a company that offers an excellent package, most entry level companies offer one maybe two weeks of vacation per year. The average customer service industry (without a degree) will offer one week. I remember a few agents posting that they refuse to give up any vacation days? It is common knowledge in the airline industry that VTO is very popular. If the 75% pay for vacation is such a horrible issue, then stop taking the VTO that if offered. 33 vacation/holidays for a senior agent or 18 days for a junior agent is pretty good, whether it is at 75% pay. Just work some OT to make up the difference. I assume by your handle that you are a recent furlough employee. I know many people who work in the airline industry for the flight benefits ONLY. Look at the part-time employees or the reservation employees who are always taking hours of VTO. There will always be more applications than jobs in this industry. Why does Southwest Airlines receive 100,000 + resumes each year, but only hire 3,000-5000 employees per year? Lets see…many of these employees don’t mind working at $9 bucks an hour and I am sure many don’t know what the top out salary is either.
Severed-N-Happy: Since you have so much knowledge, Please list a few entry-level customer service jobs that pay $21-22 hour to first year employees?
People have asked why I am posting on this board? Does it really matter? If you must know, my secretary’s daughter works for your airline. She began as a gate agent and then was furloughed and now works in reservations. This was very traumatic for her and especially for her concern mother. So, I have a vested interest in seeing that my only secretary is happy by having her one and only daughter who is a divorce mother with two children happy. As I have been accused in the past by being in management, this is how I know much about your company and I was also in the industry myself many years ago. I was an investor with your airline in the 90’s, but luckily I sold most of my shares when your stock reached $60. I ended up making more than I lost, but nobody likes losing money. I believe in your CEO and with the partnership with UAL, I see a bright future with your airline.
Vivi said: --- I am still voting no, Sorry Jack
Uinvestor says: --- Whether you vote yes or no doesn’t affect my personal or business life. I am license to practice law in the State of NY and FL. I have scaled down my caseload to where I work 5-6 hours per day and now spend several months in PBI. So, I do have some spare time now to post online. I enjoy this industry and appreciate reading some of the members posts: Chip, Art * ISP, US2, Tadjr, PineyBob, Itrade, Ual777flyer, just to name a few.
Since it appears that the employees have turned against Dave Siegel, who do you want to be your CEO? If you were in his shoes, you wouldn’t ask to concessions to save the company? I would like to see 3 qualified people who the employees feel could run your company without asking for concessions. Give the man a chance to prove himself. This hasn’t been the best scenario to be a CEO. How many CEO do you know that will spend time answer employee’s emails? My secretary’s daughter has written your CEO 5 emails and he has always replied. This is UNHEARD of in today’s CEO environment. Especially when your company is in Chapter 11. The CEO doesn’t make every decision within the company. He will state that he needs to lower cost by X amount and then the VP will develop a plan to reduce costs. I think that you will have a hard time finding an equal replacement for Dave Siegel.
If your middle managers are awful, why not write Dave? I am sure if he received a few hundred letters regarding a bad manager that some action will be taken. The employees have the power to make a change within this company. But many prefer to use this message board to complain and yell a management versus using this as a construct format to save your airline.