pit base closes

[JAMAKE1]

Beach, this a perfect example of YOUR union working for YOU. You as a junior person of 8-10 years don't matter. Maybe when it was written into the contract they never thought they'd see the day... This isn't the first closing/displacement and certainly won't be the last at the Wonderful USASSWAYS. If you are in a base with less than 10 years possibly be ready to be.... :mf_boff:

If I may interject, here. I think that it is prudent to have "bumping rights" in your CBA. F/A's at US are fortunate to have this provision, as it doesn't exist at most airlines. I don't think it is something to concede. The "ripple affect" adds costs to the company, which would be taken into consideration when management decides to close a crew base. Let's face it: This job is one based on a seniority system and it is only fair, in my opinion, to honor the seniority of those being affected by a base closure. They should be able to bid to whichever base they want to go.

 

[Travelpro72]

The union should STILL bargain for provisions in the contract that affects the junior worker as well. Also, US has NEVER cared how much it costs to screw us. If they want to they will. The folks that have 8 years or less here have endured MORE than ALL the others that have seen bases close and the like. Most have been furloughed a few times, throw MDA in there along with displaced all over the system. It's BS. So your saying ONLY protect your senior folks while you continually screw the junior? I am all for seniority when it comes to vacation, trips, schedules and such but to let a f/a into ANY base is crazy. Maybe it's why WE are are only ones that have it. It either works FOR you or AGAINST you...nothing in between.

 

[jimcfs]

Here's a second version of the PR that was just received in my inbox.... This one addresses customers, employees and facilities at PIT.

Title: US Airways to Reduce Pittsburgh Service in Early 2008
Date: 10/3/2007 1200 PM


Flights Continue to Destinations Customers Fly Most; Operations Control
Center; Maintenance Base Remain in Pittsburgh

TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways (NYSE: LCC)
today announced it plans to reduce mainline flying in January from 31 to 22
daily flights, focusing on customers' preferred destinations, as the airline
continues to maximize the financial stability of its Pittsburgh operation. As
part of the new schedule, regional flying to smaller cities is expected to be
reduced from 77 to 46 daily flights. Most of the expected reductions for
smaller cities reflect decisions that we expect to be made by independent
regional carriers that develop their own plans and schedules. These carriers
have not finalized their schedules so the overall level of Express flying may
change.

With the reduced schedule, the airline's flight crew base will close and
approximately 500 pilots and flight attendants will now bid for trips that
originate from other domiciles within the US Airways system. Also with the new
schedule, US Airways mainline airport agents and ramp employees will take over
customer service and ground-handling duties for 350 US Airways Express
employees at wholly owned carrier PSA Airlines, Inc. Those Express employees,
along with about 100 US Airways mainline airport employees, will be offered
jobs elsewhere throughout the US Airways system.

"We've worked very carefully over the past two years to make the right
decisions at Pittsburgh for our customers and the airline as a whole, always
mindful of the impact those decisions may have on our employees," said Doug
Parker, US Airways chairman and CEO. "Unfortunately our ability to operate
profitably from Pittsburgh has been sharply eroded over the past few years and
the hub lost more than $40 million over the past 12 months alone. We need to
acknowledge the economic realities of today and move forward so that our
Pittsburgh service provides a positive contribution to our system as a whole.
Even after these flight reductions, US Airways will still fly more flights to
more cities from Pittsburgh than any other airline.

"This was a very difficult decision, primarily because of the impact it
has on an outstanding group of US Airways and PSA employees. We are committed
to ensuring that all affected employees are treated fairly and
compassionately. We are offering jobs elsewhere on the US Airways system to
all affected ground employees, and those who choose not to accept such a move
will be offered severance pay," Parker said.

The airline reaffirmed its commitment to build a new 600-employee
Operations Control Center at Pittsburgh, and the airline will continue to
employ 730 mechanics at its heavy maintenance base at the Pittsburgh airport.
"US Airways has a proud history in Pittsburgh and will continue to be a major
employer in the area," Parker said.

The airline's reduced schedule, which takes effect Jan. 6, 2008, is
highlighted below.

Customers

Customers will continue to fly to the most popular destinations from
Pittsburgh, including larger East and West Coast business markets such as Los
Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., and Raleigh-Durham, and US
Airways hubs in Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C. and Phoenix. Non-stop service to
Florida will also continue. The expected reductions for smaller cities
reflect decisions that we expect to be made by independent regional carriers
to reduce flying. About half of the expected reductions will be made by
regional carriers that operate as independent franchises. See the attached
schedule for a complete list.

Employees

There will be no pilot or flight attendant furloughs as a result of
today's announcement, but the closing of a crew base means pilots and flight
attendants who live in Pittsburgh and fly trips that originate in Pittsburgh
will now bid for schedules that originate in other bases, including Charlotte,
Philadelphia, New York LaGuardia, Boston and Washington, D.C. The airline
expects that most, if not all, Pittsburgh-based pilots and flight attendants
will continue to live in Pittsburgh and commute to these other bases to fly
their schedules.

The US Airways mainline ground jobs will be eliminated and those employees
will be offered jobs elsewhere throughout US Airways' system. Approximately
350 employees of US Airways' wholly owned subsidiary PSA, which operates as US
Airways Express, will also be offered jobs elsewhere in the airline's system
or be placed on furlough.

The airline will continue to be a major employer in Pittsburgh with
approximately 1,800 jobs remaining in the area as part of the airline's heavy
maintenance base, operations control center and remaining airport personnel.

Facilities

Today the airline leases 29 gates and with the new schedule, its gate
usage requirements will be lower. US Airways will meet with PIT airport
officials in the near future to discuss its current and future space
requirements. The airline will maintain its frequent flyer club, heavy base
maintenance operation and operations control center in Pittsburgh.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

This is what happens when you mis-manage an airline. The PIT hub used to work when it was fed properly, a.k.a. connecting flights. You pull the life-blood out of course it's not going to work. US Airways just lost all my business -- hello United Airlines.

Later,
Eye

 

[Mrs. Doubtflier]

This is so painful. PIT and it's people are the best. I hope that the remainder of their careers with US is made as rewarding as possible.

 

[skyguy25]

how soon before Southwest Airlines announces PIT-DEN, LAS, BNA, STL, IND, SEA? or anyother market..how fast will the other airlines pounce?

 

[luvthe9]

We need a big party out there at the Hanger (a bar) or McCoy's if that still there maybe we and get the CREW DOGS (a u usair band to play). 23 yrs at PIT, great base. Hate to see it go. All the best everyone!!!!!

 

[hula-flyguy]

While I am truly sympathetic to all PIT employees affected by this (I've been in exactly in the same position you all find yourselves in), you now know how those of us felt in BWI, MIA, GSO, SYR, ORF, LAX, SAN, and SFO when our bases closed.

What a dick

 

[CLTBWIDAYSYR]

What a dick

Call me what you wish. Just stating facts. I was based in GSO, SYR, LAX and BWI. Closed, closed, closed, abused and closed. Been there, done that. We got no sympathy from anyone--especially from those in PIT who gained every time a base closed. I'll tell it as it was told to me by a PIT senior mama in the back of a 737 while trying to commute to work on the jumpseat. As I was lamenting the BWI closure she told me in no uncertain terms: "While change is hard, it is also inevitable--move on." I thought she was a bit harsh saying that, but she ended up being right.

 

[hula-flyguy]

Call me what you wish. Just stating facts. I was based in GSO, SYR, LAX and BWI. Closed, closed, closed, abused and closed. Been there, done that. We got no sympathy from anyone. While change is hard, it is also inevitable. The writing has been on the wall for a long time.

I've been here for all of those closings, and there WAS sympathy for all the employees touched by the them. Perhaps you didn't feel the sympathy because you were to busy being a mean, spiteful, POS. People like you who revel in others misfortune truly sicken me.

Yes, change is inevitable, but come on, let these people process their grief without your childish crap

 

[jbragg476]

PIT had to go. Have to grow CLT and DCA... PIT too close to ORD. Just my theory.
Sorry PIT.

 

[lildutchgrl]

I have been talking to many of my friends who were once based in PIT and had hopes someday they would return there. Now they find themselves in my shoes, a BWI f/a for a few years who upon recall became a commuter. I found an option, to move to a new base as a career reserve. Some of the f/a's in PIT have lived there for years, and the thought of moving can make them sick to their stomach. The thought of commuting with now fewer flight options is not so pleasant sounding either. My hope is that the company will come up with a buyout that will be worth something to the lives they are changing drastically. My heart goes out to the f/a's and pilots as well who are about to have to make a decision they were never looking forward to making. Good Luck PIT! 🙁

 

[dexter]

I would like everyone on this thread to know that even though there was chatter of impending downsizes in Pit the employees were kept in the dark until today.

The Company did not notify one Usairways employee that they were going to be furloughed. The unions were not notified, BUT , Mr. Doug Parker flew in for a brief statement to let the world know in a few choice words that they were jobless! What a way to find out you were out of work., how cruel to find out in front of passengers and the media. Had it been a management position, I am sure the Company would have at least had the courtesy to inform the injured before it was put out to the PUBLIC firsthand. There are alot of employees just wandering around stunned. HOW MUCH LOWER MUST WE BE TREATED????? PARKER, THERE ARE NO JOBS IN PITTSBURGH, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE OUR HOMES OUR FAMILIES WILL SUFFER AND OUR DIGNITY HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN DESTROYED!

 

[wings396]

I am sad for all the remaining folks in PIT as well. If there is any bright spot within this bad news, it is the fact that some Mainline jobs will be spared with the handling of the Express being turned over to Mainline from PSA. This is the first time that I have ever seen this happen, and it should be this way accross the system given that Express is primarly operated by Jets. I realize that PSA jobs will be lost, but based on the press release, some may get jobs with Mainline. I wish the best to all involved with the final cut that is taking place in PIT.

 

[iwantout]

Since there are going to be adding the majority of time to DCA and CLT, do you think there will be many that will say the hell witht the flying commute and drive to dc for their trips? I know there are few there already that do this.