Pilot job action?!

[Mach85ER]

E seems to be missing much in the reality department these days. He of course reverts to his past thinking in management.

I believe the press released mentioned the "decison" to lay off mechanics. One would think that most good leaders (pay attention E, you might learn something), might realize that performance and completion of mechanical write ups might suffer given the news of coming layoffs. From my observation, attention to detail due to FAA oversight isn't limited to the pilot group.

As BC mentioned, the average person might wonder about the past practice of selling spares and reducing parts inventory by eliminating even the most basic common parts even at fairly large outstations.

As for the status matches this time of year, maybe Horton could have nudged the UCC and the Judge to move the date for abrogating the APA contract to a date slightly less significant that the day after Labor Day. Sheer brilliance E, but I doubt Tommy Boy didn't catch it until it was too late, or maybe had the sheer arrogance to intentionally stick it to us on the day. Maybe he should have thought about the Status implications then. Now we learn the UCC has "invited" the APA rep to attend a meeting this week. Interesting since a major UCC member was overheard saying they (the UCC) were going to "bury the pilots". Does this qualify as a resurrection?


Looking forward to another laughable post E.

 

[LAX AMT]

As an LAX based line mechanic I can say this. Once we get called out to an airplane by a flight crew we do our jobs. We do what we're paid by American Airlines to do, what we're required by the FAA to do and what we as safety minded professionals do.
Our primary function is to ensure a safe airplane. Delays, cancellations, missed connections, while we do what we can to prevent them from happening or minimize them, they're not our area of responsibility.
Everyone hates to see mainenance on the airplane but when the crew call's for maintenance, then we have to have to go out and do our job. If one day a flight crew makes an issue out of something that they wouldn't have last week then that's on them not us. If a pilot chooses to call us out for a leaky coffee maker before departure or wait until he lands at the next station to write it up then that's on him BUT once we get sent out to an airplane, we will do our job. We evaluate the problem, repair it if it can be done in a timely manner or defer it if it can be deferred or if it's serious or we don't have a part we need it goes out of service and get's sent to the hanger. We will not jeopardize our A&P licenses to cut corners to get planes out on time or out at all for that matter. Our local management here at LAX won't force us to sign something off that we're not comfortable with and if I as a mechanic call something out of service and Tech Services concurs with me, it's out of service. Period! Management here in LA doesn't force the issue.

We don't play games and cause delays or cancelled flights on purpose or out of spite but when we get called out to an airplane we will do things by the book, per the rules and regulations that American Airlines has trained us to follow and per the FAR's as mandated by the FAA and take whatever time we need to do so irregardless of delays or cancellations and I can say the same thing about all the mechanics I work with here at LAX anyway. Our licenses and our livelihoods are at stake if we don't and depending on the nature of problem the safety of everyone on that airplane is at stake not only for that flight but tomorrow's flights and next week's flights and on, on down the road for that airplane. Maintenance takes time and costs money, bottom line! Always has and always will. Maintenance is one department within these airline that cost money and doesn't make money.

And when you F/A's see 3 mechanics standing on the jetbridge doing nothing, waiting, they were sent out to help the mechanic who got handed the call out in case he has to open an engine cowling or run get a part or print up some maintenance manual paperwork or something in an attempt to shave a couple of minutes from your delay by being there standing by to help out if needed.
And to all those people, especially you gate agents, impatient because your on a delay wondering how much longer try this. Some Monday morning at 8:00 am take your car into the dealership and tell them you have an electrical problem or something but you need to be on the freeway in 7 minutes to make it to work on time and see where that gets you then maybe you'll understand the challanges we line mechanics are faced with multiple time a day working live flights on the gate 8, 12 or 16 hours a day. We hustle and do the best we can.

 

[WorldTraveler]

Interesting since a major UCC member was overheard saying they (the UCC) were going to "bury the pilots". Does this qualify as a resurrection?

anything in print you can share on that point regarding who said that?... curious how that creditor thinks they will accomplish their goal

 

[1AA]

Where is Bob Crandall when we need him most?

 

[Mach85ER]

anything in print you can share on that point regarding who said that?... curious how that creditor thinks they will accomplish their goal

Our advisor working with the UCC (highly paid and well known) said that one of the big UCC members forgot to turn his microphone off and began speaking to another party nearby and it was heard by everyone.

No surprise, it's exactly what APA knew what they were dealing with even though we were supposed to be just another "equal" member of the committee.

 

[jacfrost]

The above post is laughable. Not a single mechanic has been laid off, so how can cuts in maintenance be blamed when they haven't happened yet?


Status matches, however, aren't a laughing matter.

If a bunch of top tiers switch at this time of year, they're likely gone for the rest of the year.

But hey, just think of all the seats available for non-revving, eh?

Please stop by AFW for just a short time and see what the mechanics think about "not a single one has been laid off yet" . There are no misconceptions about mechanics taking a hit. There is no need to just wait for the hammer to fall, its in the process right now........... Please don't make light of our situation.

 

[eolesen]

E seems to be missing much in the reality department these days. He of course reverts to his past thinking in management.

Is that really the best you can do?..

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to prove pilots are writing up stuff at a rate higher than it was a month ago, or "discovering" problems close to departure. We've all seen it at some point or another. It's as predictable as calling an onside kick with two minutes left on the clock and being down by 8.

Even one of the mechanics here seems to be pointing the fingers back at the crews, rather than take the fall for what y'all are trying to do.

It appears that the lunacy within APA that manifested itself with efforts like the $40M fine, PDP and electing Lloyd Hill is back in season with a vengeance.

And no, that's hardly a laughing matter.

 

[1AA]

Is that really the best you can do?..

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to prove pilots are writing up stuff at a rate higher than it was a month ago, or "discovering" problems close to departure. We've all seen it at some point or another. It's as predictable as calling an onside kick with two minutes left on the clock and being down by 8.

Even one of the mechanics here seems to be pointing the fingers back at the crews, rather than take the fall for what y'all are trying to do.

It appears that the lunacy within APA that manifested itself with efforts like the $40M fine, PDP and electing Lloyd Hill is back in season with a vengeance.

And no, that's hardly a laughing matter.

I am a Mechanic and I am NOT blaming the crew. Speak for yourself please.

 

[strikeforce]

Is that really the best you can do?..

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to prove pilots are writing up stuff at a rate higher than it was a month ago, or "discovering" problems close to departure. We've all seen it at some point or another. It's as predictable as calling an onside kick with two minutes left on the clock and being down by 8.

Even one of the mechanics here seems to be pointing the fingers back at the crews, rather than take the fall for what y'all are trying to do.

It appears that the lunacy within APA that manifested itself with efforts like the $40M fine, PDP and electing Lloyd Hill is back in season with a vengeance.

And no, that's hardly a laughing matter.

face it....the pilots have the power to refuse the aircraft for even the silliest of things....last week at UA, a captain refused the aircraft for a broken sun visor, and at night. nothing UA, MX Control or FAA can do to overturn that decision. That's why he's pilot in command. Too bad AA has broken airplanes. Now, sick time may be another story....and AA has a sick time policy. But, write ups.....no judge can force the pilot in command to fly unsafe airplanes.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

But, write ups.....no judge can force the pilot in command to fly unsafe airplanes.

Judges have, and will, fine the APA, TWU, and any other union for job actions. In the past, this has been based on rates of maintenance write-ups, crew refusals, and increased sick time, when compared to what is deemed the status quo from times previous to the abrogation.

If it keeps up, in my opinion, AA will not survive. Then it will not matter who was wrong or right, will it. You will have showed them, and they will have showed you.

 

[Buck]

Do not worry about Tulsa having any job actions.

 

[UPNAWAY]

[sup][font=Arial']This is an obvious and illegal job action and very dumb move by the union. It weakens their hand not strengthens it. The data will prove it without any doubts what they are up to and they will lose in court just ask USAPA how it worked out for them.[/font][/sup]

 

[Bob Owens]

no, Frank, there has always been a difference in the levels of pay and service within airlines in the US.

A failure of AA - immediate or long and drawn out - or a long-term depression of wages at AA will not necessarily result in the same thing for other airlines or their employees.

The spread between the top (Over $50/hr at UPS) and the bottom-AA at $33, was never this much. Ten years ago we made more than UPS.

 

[Bob Owens]

The above post is laughable. Not a single mechanic has been laid off, so how can cuts in maintenance be blamed when they haven't happened yet?


Status matches, however, aren't a laughing matter.

If a bunch of top tiers switch at this time of year, they're likely gone for the rest of the year.

But hey, just think of all the seats available for non-revving, eh?

He didnt say they laid anyone off yet. How enthusiastic do you think the guys are who know they are losing their jobs? Probably even less entusiastic than the rest of the guys who voted NO, thats three out of four line mechanics, and thats where delays and cancellations happen, on the line.

 

[WorldTraveler]

The spread between the top (Over $50/hr at UPS) and the bottom-AA at $33, was never this much. Ten years ago we made more than UPS.

Seems to me you just validated my position that there are sustained differences in pay levels between airlines, even if you narrow your results just to legacy/network carriers which is AA's closest peer set.

The notion that low pay rates at one carrier will bring down the industry pay levels in that classification cannot be shown to be valid.