PHL problems and solutions (equipment)

[roadtrip]

I resent that comment about uneducated rampers making 100,000 large a year. I can't speak for your station but at mine I know of only one who may make that or close to it & he lives there! Also on the uneducated myself & most of my co workers have college degrees.

I believe the comment of 100,000 a year refered to the IAM AGC's who are uneducated former rampers.
Anyone who makes 3 times the wages of the regular rank and file is not on the workers side. Anyone who thinks otherewise I'll be glad to sell you Ocean front property in Nevada

 

[roadtrip]

Well I could almost agree with your statement except for one thing. HE/She is paid "100 Large" to represent YOU! And if they aren't doing so it takes an active and involved rank & file to boot the SOB out the door and get someone who will fight for you and give him or her the "100 Large"

Bob,

Its been tried before to get those guys out but once there in there in for life. Hell the IAM was found guilty by the DOL in fighting to keep guys off an election a few years ago.

Bottom line is we get no support from the IAM reps and the workers suffer with the companys slow response to the upcoming holiday season. I see not only the poor customers waiting for there luggage like last year but the workers dealing with the huge mess that management could have prevented.

 

[diogenes]

I was referring to fleet AGC's and I apologize for not making that clear.


Bob,

I think you have a sense of what I am about, and believe me, there was greater turnover at the Politburo than IAM district and international.

The problem is, the IAM has cleverly put very high barriers to entry. They do not support open elections - I have had a district official tell me they hate runoffs because of expense. BS! They don't want to give up those jobs - would you want to go from 100,000 AND expenses back to schlepping bags?

When election time comes (which is the only time you see these folks), the slate (incumbents) get to travel about making their case on the union dime. It's not overt electioneering, but covert.

If you challenge them, you have to make the rounds on your own time and dime. So effectively, you have to be from a large station (that's where the votes are) to have a prayer. Plus the slate is stabbing you in the back as they make their rounds and interfer in elections. The DOL was indeed involved in a US fleet election because of theis kind of BS.

Plus, AGS's are DISTRICT jobs. That means at election time district 141 (UA fleet and c/s AND US fleet) is voting on the same ballot. Theoretically, all AGC's could come from UA and the only reason there are US AGC's is they got appointed first, and then benefited from these convoluted election rules.

No US AGC got elected without FIRST BEING APPOINTED.

To my knowledge, no IAM AGC at US or UA has been overturned in the past 25 years.

There are instructor at the IAM's training center who will privately tell you slate politics are an abomination to unionism.

Until unions democratize their procedures, they are effectively no different than corporations.

What members need to do.

Cease payroll deduction dues withholding. Start making late payments, partial payments, etc.

When you get their attention, tell them to democratize elections and you'll quit screwing with their cash flow.

 

[roadtrip]

Bob,

Here is an web address to the charge of interference elections this supports what I stated before


http://www.nlpc.org/olap/UCU3/04_26_26.htm

Also Dio excellent post on the money idea hope more people would think like that

 

[D M G]

If you challenge them, you have to make the rounds on your own time and dime. So effectively, you have to be from a large station (that's where the votes are) to have a prayer.

Getting three other lodges to vote your way is tough too. It's like the mob, once you're "made" it's for life.

 

[Ramp Rat]

I don't know but now I bet BOS will have an equipment shortage!

Good goobily goop!

I would bet the BOS vendor could not handle the repair and it is going to Dave's Truck Service in SYR for repair. BOS has similar equipment problems as PHL, just a smaller scale.

 

[libertybell]

A friend said this was posted and handed out on the ramp seems to be something is being done finally. There are Token amounts on equipment for now but Philly will need alot more than 30 tugs and 17 beltloaders.


To: All PHL Ramp service personnel

Subject: Ground Equipment

During my last visit to PHL, I had the privilege of watching many of you working and doing the best job possible --- however without all the tools necessary to get the job done, specifically Ground Equipment. While there may be very logical reasons for the shortage of equipment, such as bankruptcy, let’s put that behind us and move forward.

The good news is that we have obtained approval to begin purchasing some of the more critical ground support equipment. Doug Parker approved our plan to add 30 tugs, 17 belt loaders, and 5 push tractors to the PHL ramp --- all new equipment, totaling approximately $2 million. These units will begin to arrive in PHL by mid-November with all units scheduled to be delivered by December 20th.

The next step is to evaluate the condition of existing equipment, some of which will be junked. We will also expedite our efforts to repair and overhaul existing equipment.

Until the new equipment arrives, or other interim equipment, I am asking you to please continue to do the best you can with what you have. Continue to share the limited resources and to ‘baby’ the existing equipment, so that it lasts at least until the new equipment arrives. And beyond that, please know that we are accelerating other projects, including facilities, other equipment, and other initiatives – all with the intent of creating an environment for PHL to become a model station for Safety and Customer Services. Again, thank you for your patience and for overcoming the challenges of equipment shortages. You have great spirit and pride.

Sincerely,

Anthony V. Mulé

Sr. Vice President, Customer Service

 

[diogenes]

Smart move by management.

Providing resources (doing their part) provides management with the moral authority to expect employees to do their part.

Pretty soon, there's no one left to blame.

Here's hoping this is the first step of many.

 

[D M G]

Now to DMG and all the rest. Management has made a good faith first step. Let's ALL step up to the plate. I'm traveling over holidays and I'll do my part by packing lightly, no more than ONE checked bag. Sweet Thing has also been put "On Notice" regarding traveling with her entire wardrobe and we will be there in plenty of time prior to flight.

I'm glad management has acknowledged a few things, in writing:

1. FSAs are doing the best job possible.
2. FSAs don't have the necessary tools to do the job (equipment).
3. The need to "share" and "baby" the equipment we have.
4. Great spirit and pride.
5. Mid November to December 20th delivery for the new equipment.


Things I didn't like to see:

1. Blaming bankruptcy as a possible reason for the lack of equipment. There has been equipment shortages in PHL since the mid 90s, long before BK1. Mismanagement, plain and simple. But I agree, lets not look back and see what happens from here.

2. I know you have to start somewhere, but we need 5X the amount of equipment than was ordered. Is it possible to pull some equipment from other cities that may not be being utilized? If there is any available it's probably pretty expensive to truck it to PHL, but I hope management realizes that another meltdown would be much more costly.

3. The delivery dates. If only they were even one month sooner. As I said above, this has been an ongoing problem and there is no way that Parker and the rest of the Execs didn't know that it had to be fixed. You need to fix things before the holiday rush, not during.

4. I see no mention of carts. Christmas mail ties up so many carts that a shortage of them is as bad as no-start equipment.


Bob,

It's a step in the right direction. Rest assured that the majority of FSA in PHL will continue to give 100%, and hopefully this holiday season will bear no resemblance to last years. With a little luck, 35-40 degree temperatures, and no precipitation, everything will be smooth. Hopefully you and "Sweet Thing" won't be disappointed.

 

[libertybell]

The latest report on Ground service equipment from fleet service does not sound to good for the coming weeks. First off the new equipment has still not been seen although it is promised for the mid part of this month 30 tugs insnt going to cut it heres why.

The company transfered the work of running transfer bags from Commuters to Mainline jets to Mainline Fleet service on the 7th. With the addition of this work the problem with finding a tug to work a flight is worse now then ever.

The motor pool area if thats what the company calls it (more like a wreck yard!) Is a site to be seen Tugs sometimes 20 all dead sitting hoods up or other various problems. Beltloaders are here as well broken and not running. The maintance team are needed to be stationed there in the morning to jump and start all equipment but old US management has failed to act.

It was brought to my attention there have been a few HP managers in Philly to evaluate the problems.

The line they are giving to the workers is the manufactures who make the equipment are back logged and the company can't get us the equipment. I get the feeling the are overwhelmed and little nervous with the upcoming loads Philly will be facing

 

[Fixed Wing]

A friend said this was posted and handed out on the ramp seems to be something is being done finally. There are Token amounts on equipment for now but Philly will need alot more than 30 tugs and 17 beltloaders.
To: All PHL Ramp service personnel

Subject: Ground Equipment

During my last visit to PHL, I had the privilege of watching many of you working and doing the best job possible --- however without all the tools necessary to get the job done, specifically Ground Equipment. While there may be very logical reasons for the shortage of equipment, such as bankruptcy, let’s put that behind us and move forward.

The good news is that we have obtained approval to begin purchasing some of the more critical ground support equipment. Doug Parker approved our plan to add 30 tugs, 17 belt loaders, and 5 push tractors to the PHL ramp --- all new equipment, totaling approximately $2 million. These units will begin to arrive in PHL by mid-November with all units scheduled to be delivered by December 20th.

The next step is to evaluate the condition of existing equipment, some of which will be junked. We will also expedite our efforts to repair and overhaul existing equipment.

Until the new equipment arrives, or other interim equipment, I am asking you to please continue to do the best you can with what you have. Continue to share the limited resources and to ‘baby’ the existing equipment, so that it lasts at least until the new equipment arrives. And beyond that, please know that we are accelerating other projects, including facilities, other equipment, and other initiatives – all with the intent of creating an environment for PHL to become a model station for Safety and Customer Services. Again, thank you for your patience and for overcoming the challenges of equipment shortages. You have great spirit and pride.

Sincerely,

Anthony V. Mulé

Sr. Vice President, Customer Service

I applaud Mule for being straight forward and communicating the issues but frankly I have seen countless "task forces" come to PHL to fix the problem.
I am still thinking positively and giving this new team a shot at PHL.
New equipment is just a start, there are many issues in PHL that need looked at and there are some that are just part of the Philly factor.
The facilities are what they are. The layout of the airport makes handling the aircraft 2 times more difficult.
The terminal was built back when connies were flying and there is simply no room for expansion.
What can be fixed is the moral of the employees and by having true leadership that defines and acts on the needs of the operation will go a long way.

 

[allstrike]

I wonder if the task force really knows the problem's?

 

[allstrike]

Ok we have problems in PHL,we all know this,how can we fix the ones we have and try to get through Thanksgiving.
Or UHHH I dont the cavalry coming Tonto....

 

[PQAKnow-It-All]

I would assume moral could be slightly improved just simply by having the tools to do your job. From my experience with the company, for them to spend 2mil on equipment in PHL says volumes about your enviornment.

Good luck with the holiday rush, and heres hoping you'll get your equipment sooner, rather than later....I can't imagine trying to book a reservation with the OAG book in this day and age, and that is about the equivlant of trying to load a flight w/o a tug/carts/beltloaders...sounds like you guys been *pooped* on for awhile.

Try to keep your heads up, and remember, even if you could write the checks, there is still alot of red tape that must be cut thru.

 

[OldGuyinPA]

Let Al C go................it will boost morale.