New Orleans evacuations

[Bobbie]

I see from looking at Flightaware...

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KMSY

...that US Airways, and all the other carriers are evacuating New Orleans as we speak. I'm seeing a 767-200 scheduled tomorrow and a host of other planes from US and many from the other carriers. They even have Republic running the E170's. Looks like a nice effort going on.

Here's a big thank you and God Bless You to all the folks helping in this effort. I've spent a lot of time down there doing recovery work and these folks need all the love and compassion the world can offer right now.

Anyone involved, let us know how it's going and how the folks are doing.

 

[700UW]

I am in shock, you actually said something positive about US!

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

It looks like everyone - even US - is taking far different approach than three yaers ago;
any word on what US is doing for its MSY staff?
Remember what WN did for their people as Katrina approached? Bringing in personel from other cities to work the operation so their MSY people could secure their homes and prepare for evacuation. They also flew evacuation flights for airline/aiport staff including US follks (IIRC they even took pets).

 

[Bobbie]

I think the big difference between now and the last time around is that the evacuations took place AFTER the storm had passed with Katrina. They had turned the airport into a triage center...including the then-brand new Terminal D (Delta/Continental/JetBlue). There was a lot of misery in that airport during those times. This time around, the airport is off limits and is not a shelter, a triage, or anything like that...exclusively for transportation and that's it.

 

[PHL]

It has been made abundantly clear for several days now that all residents must leave. There will be NO safe havens once the storm hits. Not the Superdome, not the Convention center, and certainly not the airport. The town should be virtually empty by tomorrow.

Everyone has been given ample notice, and there has been a huge effort to get the people out - especially those who can't do it on their own.

There will be no excuses this time for people left behind. Thank Goodness......

 

[robbedagain]

I sure wish the gulf coast states all the luck in the world they sure will need it with that storm. May God Bless them all. Im proud that US is stepping up with widebody aircraft to help evacuate passengers and I hope that the employees will be able to take care of themselves. My prayers and thoughts are with them all Good Luck to all the affected Gulf Coast States

 

[night-ice]

I sure wish the gulf coast states all the luck in the world they sure will need it with that storm. May God Bless them all. Im proud that US is stepping up with widebody aircraft to help evacuate passengers and I hope that the employees will be able to take care of themselves. My prayers and thoughts are with them all Good Luck to all the affected Gulf Coast States

Kudos to the US crew who flew the 737 into TYS today to help bring New Orleans (and surrounding parishes)evacuees here today. Thank you. Nice to see a US mainline jet back at TYS, too....

 

[Ramp Rogue]

Maybe I just didn't get the memo, but if there wasn't one, shame on USAir. I would gladly go to MSY to help out those that have to evacuate. I don't mind at all going down there and working flights so that our employees there would have extra time to pack and take care of whatever they need to before the storm hits. Is USAir looking out for our employees in MSY? If so, kudos. If not, why not? If anyone has answers, please post them?

Rogue

 

[dexter]

Team effort? Ramp Rogue is correct. The only team we have is the management TEAM. Why pay Union employees the money when managers are on salary?

Need I say more. Wouldn't surprise me one iota if all MSY Union employees were told that if they want to pack up and leave it is VTO, voluntary leave of absence without pay.

 

[Rogue Rat]

They were asking for volunteers here to fly to MSY to help get the people out. I'm not sure but I think they were going to work the flights so the employees that work in MSY would be able to take care of their families and get out themselves. Maybe someone that went down could fill us in on the details.

 

[rat tales]

CLT had initially set up two ramp crew teams to travel fro CLT>MSY>BNA>CLT. They were requested by seniority. The situation was that the Military had chartered 2 A/C and needed handlers to travel to take care of cargo. What ended up was one A/C with one ramp crew traveling to MSY and then returning to CLT.
From what I understand happened, the MSY Fleet Agents who were working that day asked the CLT guys if they would consider staying until the last CLT flight and work for them that they could take care of their family's. The CLT guys agreed, stayed to work in their place so they could go home, and left on the last flight returning to CLT.
I would like to say that I am humbled to work beside those selfless people. Fleet was well represented!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Well done, everyone. A lot of people gave time and someone gave a lot of money to help these folks get out of harms way so I have to tell you all what was on the news. After arriving at TYS many were bused over to the TRI area to awaiting shelters. On the news this morning some of the evacuees were complaining because their luggage was delayed in getting to them at the shelters due to a problem with the truck carrying it. Although some are still missing luggage, the local churches are giving these folks new clothing to help. Free shelter, free transportation, free food, and they were complaining because their luggage was delayed. Some people are never grateful for anything. But kudos to the every airline employee and volunteer who gave of their time to help those in need. I say thank you and God bless you for you efforts, Well done!!

 

[DrBeth]

Well done, everyone. A lot of people gave time and someone gave a lot of money to help these folks get out of harms way so I have to tell you all what was on the news. After arriving at TYS many were bused over to the TRI area to awaiting shelters. On the news this morning some of the evacuees were complaining because their luggage was delayed in getting to them at the shelters due to a problem with the truck carrying it. Although some are still missing luggage, the local churches are giving these folks new clothing to help. Free shelter, free transportation, free food, and they were complaining because their luggage was delayed. Some people are never grateful for anything. But cudos to the every airline employee and volunteer who gave of their time to help those in need. I say thank you and God bless you for you efforts, Well done!!

Kudos is right...great job to everyone!

I live in the TRI area and many of the Katrina victims ended up staying here after being in the shelters here--we are a very friendly bunch--so I am glad we could help again!

And a great job at TYS, another one of my backup home airports!

 

[roadtrip]

CLT had initially set up two ramp crew teams to travel fro CLT>MSY>BNA>CLT. They were requested by seniority. The situation was that the Military had chartered 2 A/C and needed handlers to travel to take care of cargo. What ended up was one A/C with one ramp crew traveling to MSY and then returning to CLT.
From what I understand happened, the MSY Fleet Agents who were working that day asked the CLT guys if they would consider staying until the last CLT flight and work for them that they could take care of their family's. The CLT guys agreed, stayed to work in their place so they could go home, and left on the last flight returning to CLT.
I would like to say that I am humbled to work beside those selfless people. Fleet was well represented!

Great Job guys Hope you all had a good Labor Day!

 

[goodfellow]

CLT had initially set up two ramp crew teams to travel fro CLT>MSY>BNA>CLT. They were requested by seniority. The situation was that the Military had chartered 2 A/C and needed handlers to travel to take care of cargo. What ended up was one A/C with one ramp crew traveling to MSY and then returning to CLT.
From what I understand happened, the MSY Fleet Agents who were working that day asked the CLT guys if they would consider staying until the last CLT flight and work for them that they could take care of their family's. The CLT guys agreed, stayed to work in their place so they could go home, and left on the last flight returning to CLT.
I would like to say that I am humbled to work beside those selfless people. Fleet was well represented!

The CLT station was well represented, 4 inside agents,4 fleet agents and two mechanics. All willing to help. MSY agents and the local MGR, were FIRST CLASS! GOD BLESS and best of luck!