Rant and rave thread!

[AMFAinMIAMI]

I agree with most of that.
We have been spoiled here and need to be aware of what is going on outside of SWA.
Having said that, I still won't be voting to give anything back that we enjoy now.

You have the right attitude to to be an AMFA union leader.
I hope you get the chance.
Good luck.

I too hope we at AA get the chance to a part of AMFA.

And thanks for your comment as well, Now that Iv'e brought some thing for you to think about and how it all effects all of us the AMT's of the airline biz. mention it to others and see if you can help them understand we all need to stand together to better our class and craft.

 

[buscador]

You got that right the we are no longer a family and that was more prevelant with the purchase of AirTran .

You got that right and the Culture at SWA is now like a loose thread on a sweater,, its being pulled and tugged at and its only a matter of time that it unravels..

Big business and giving away Seniority and Pay like it was candy,, only shows That years of Culture and Promises meant very little,, and now we get to sit back and watch the unraveling of a sweater That so many have spent many years working on.......

Too many un appreciative and uncaring threads now are in that sweater,,, Here is too hoping SWA can survive the cold with the New Sweater

 

[AvTech04]

You got that right and the Culture at SWA is now like a loose thread on a sweater,, its being pulled and tugged at and its only a matter of time that it unravels..

Big business and giving away Seniority and Pay like it was candy,, only shows That years of Culture and Promises meant very little,, and now we get to sit back and watch the unraveling of a sweater That so many have spent many years working on.......

Too many un appreciative and uncaring threads now are in that sweater,,, Here is too hoping SWA can survive the cold with the New Sweater

I spoke to a high time SWA employee recently and asked him about the culture and how he feels it's going, his response to me was shocking to day the least. He told me that the culture at SWA is always taking a downturn for the worse or always being challenged by their own employees! He said that if you asked a 20 year employee 10 years ago his the culture at SWA was, they would've said the same thing as Buscador is saying here. What I took from the conversation was that SWA employees have the power to grow the culture or destroy it. It's those that bash it and lose hope in it that are destroying it. You use a ridiculous off the wall analogy of how the culture is hanging by a thread without even realizing that it's people like you that are allowing it to die. I just started with SWA and I think I understand the culture better than you do Buscador. I'm not saying any of this to offend you, bu seriously, take a step back and look at the things you say when you post on here. You sound like a disgruntled legacy carrier employee and not a SWA employee, IMHO...

 

[lineguy]

Culture - the product of cultivating micro-organisms in a nutrient medium.


To be honest, I haven't noticed this being practiced by anyone since I started working at SW.

 

[swamt]

I spoke to a high time SWA employee recently and asked him about the culture and how he feels it's going, his response to me was shocking to day the least. He told me that the culture at SWA is always taking a downturn for the worse or always being challenged by their own employees! He said that if you asked a 20 year employee 10 years ago his the culture at SWA was, they would've said the same thing as Buscador is saying here. What I took from the conversation was that SWA employees have the power to grow the culture or destroy it. It's those that bash it and lose hope in it that are destroying it. You use a ridiculous off the wall analogy of how the culture is hanging by a thread without even realizing that it's people like you that are allowing it to die. I just started with SWA and I think I understand the culture better than you do Buscador. I'm not saying any of this to offend you, bu seriously, take a step back and look at the things you say when you post on here. You sound like a disgruntled legacy carrier employee and not a SWA employee, IMHO...

Since Herb and Colleen are gone now, it does seem things are going down hill as far as the culture at SWA. There is a huge difference from when I hired on. Now with the new "outsiders" taking over in maint. look for even more changes and not in a good way. Too many very high positions are being filled by "outsiders" and not current employees looking to move up. SWA "use to" hire from within, then, if nobody put in for the position, they would look out side of the co. to fill positions. And I know people that wanted to move into Tony L's position as well as Hirshman's position. We have heard of rumors of why Hirshman was brought in, and it is starting to show in maint. already, get ready boys, it's coming.

 

[Swadl]

Hirshman is bad news! He was brought in to gain more outsourcing! Alaska Airlines mechanics hate him for all their work that is now outsourced! He needs to go and can take T-Cock with him. Also I heard the T-Cock has stopped day trades in MCO and BWI! Is this true??? If so fight it and stick it up his Arss!!! You guys have the power to hurt him and get him fired, so don't be afraid to park planes!!

 

[buscador]

I spoke to a high time SWA employee recently and asked him about the culture and how he feels it's going, his response to me was shocking to day the least. He told me that the culture at SWA is always taking a downturn for the worse or always being challenged by their own employees! He said that if you asked a 20 year employee 10 years ago his the culture at SWA was, they would've said the same thing as Buscador is saying here. What I took from the conversation was that SWA employees have the power to grow the culture or destroy it. It's those that bash it and lose hope in it that are destroying it. You use a ridiculous off the wall analogy of how the culture is hanging by a thread without even realizing that it's people like you that are allowing it to die. I just started with SWA and I think I understand the culture better than you do Buscador. I'm not saying any of this to offend you, bu seriously, take a step back and look at the things you say when you post on here. You sound like a disgruntled legacy carrier employee and not a SWA employee, IMHO...

Unfortuantely you are WRONG or truly Ignorant,, you choose... Who ever told you about the Culture 10 years ago was taking a downturn compared to now,,NO Comparison ,, back then there were people who loved the culture because the Company showed it cared for its people(HERBTIME),,,now we are 4 years A.H.(after Herb),, and the company thanks to one person, one idealogy that is CLUELESS about human Nature and people,, one person who has decided to Slit the Throat of the SWA culture like a cow being slaughtered...all because of the Pennies before people program at Corporate...

Cost cutting to make a penny,,,while he tries to outsource, mandatory overtime to the ground people, hiring freezes and the whole AT DEBACLE with the CSA as the Cherry on the Top...The Talks about possible strikes for different depts because their contract negotiations are being dragged out while the company laughs and talks about No retro Pay..... The Culture is done if something doesnt change at the TOP... it has never been this hostile and I dont care who you talk to.. the People can only save Culture if the company gives them reasons to save it..... if the company keeps up like it has been..... the people will revolt in so many different ways.... so dont blame the People who are seeing the Truth blame the Company that is trying to evicerate Culture to save a Penny

 

[xUT]

Unfortuantely you are WRONG or truly Ignorant,, you choose... Who ever told you about the Culture 10 years ago was taking a downturn compared to now,,NO Comparison ,, back then there were people who loved the culture because the Company showed it cared for its people(HERBTIME),,,now we are 4 years A.H.(after Herb),, and the company thanks to one person, one idealogy that is CLUELESS about human Nature and people,, one person who has decided to Slit the Throat of the SWA culture like a cow being slaughtered...all because of the Pennies before people program at Corporate...

Cost cutting to make a penny,,,while he tries to outsource, mandatory overtime to the ground people, hiring freezes and the whole AT DEBACLE with the CSA as the Cherry on the Top...The Talks about possible strikes for different depts because their contract negotiations are being dragged out while the company laughs and talks about No retro Pay..... The Culture is done if something doesnt change at the TOP... it has never been this hostile and I dont care who you talk to.. the People can only save Culture if the company gives them reasons to save it..... if the company keeps up like it has been..... the people will revolt in so many different ways.... so dont blame the People who are seeing the Truth blame the Company that is trying to evicerate Culture to save a Penny

Congratulations! You are now officially a Legacy Carrier.
B) xUT

 

[WNMECH]

I am not ready to call our culture dead or damaged beyond repair yet.
But management should really back off and allow time for some healing after all the changes. If they don't see the value in our positive culture and try to save it, then we may end up like everyone else.
The next couple of years may determine how our culture will be forever.

I hope xUT is wrong.

 

[swamt]

Congratulations! You are now officially a Legacy Carrier.
B) xUT

LOL Couldn't help but laugh my a$$ off. Good one xUT. And thx for the laugh, even if it was on us, brovo.

 

[AvTech04]

Well, if there are a lot more employees spreading the words of hate like Buscador is, then I'm willing to bet that the legacy path if what SWA is on. I know I'm new to SWA but after coming onboard and learning just how much the culture means to the company, I realized why it's mentioned so much on almost every thread. I would like to keep it more than just afloat, I would like to see it grow back to what original SWA employees tell me it was. But like everything else, you have those who will attack, sabotage, even destroy it just because they're pissed off about something (Buscador). The person I spoke to was simply explaining to me how the culture is always being challenged, people are always looking for something to complain about and be first thing they complain about is the culture because they know how important it is to SWA. I don't care if you're former Airtran or original SWA, the ones destroying the culture are the ones that define it as lost or gone and are not willing to fight for it... Prime example, any and everyone the listens or follows in Buscadors, and those like him, path of hatred!!

To be honest, I still don't understand how a company that treats its employee's so well and is so heavily based on culture is so heavily unionize all at the same time?? That part I will never understand. Not even Delta is this unionized! But even more shocking is the resentment being held against the unions and the company through out this merger! IMO, it sounds like SWA holds a lot more legacy traits than it knows!!

 

[FlyStorms]

So what do you consider "culture"? Wouldn't the burger burns y'all have for folks out be considered culture? Wouldn't the deck parties, turkey frys, etc, be called culture? What about just a random everyday act that anyone can do such as bringing in donuts/bagels for your crew (whether your leadership or not) be considered keeping the culture alive? Culture can come from anyone, it shouldn't be driven from above.

I think every one of us is charged with trying to keep the culture and good will to each other alive. It's about working together, not against each other. Some of hte stuff some of you are talking about are union and contractual things which are separate from culture.

I guess all of this depends on what your definition of "culture" is because I guarantee it's different for everyone.

 

[WNMECH]

So what do you consider "culture"? Wouldn't the burger burns y'all have for folks out be considered culture? Wouldn't the deck parties, turkey frys, etc, be called culture? What about just a random everyday act that anyone can do such as bringing in donuts/bagels for your crew (whether your leadership or not) be considered keeping the culture alive? Culture can come from anyone, it shouldn't be driven from above.

I think every one of us is charged with trying to keep the culture and good will to each other alive. It's about working together, not against each other. Some of hte stuff some of you are talking about are union and contractual things which are separate from culture.

I guess all of this depends on what your definition of "culture" is because I guarantee it's different for everyone.

I agree with that.
Most of the mechanics I work with try to keep the fun loving attitude alive and well.

It is some in management that just don't seem to get it and are only interested in the above and beyond hard work part.

 

[AvTech04]

I agree with that.
Most of the mechanics I work with try to keep the fun loving attitude alive and well.

It is some in management that just don't seem to get it and are only interested in the above and beyond hard work part.

I suppose that there are bad apples every where and no matter what you do they'll never be happy, unless of course you give them exactly what they want, and even then they'll probably still complain! I have to say that the original SWA guys that I've interacted with since ratifying the agreement have been very cordial and polite. Sure there are some still sour about the whole deal, but I don't think it's really with us mechanics, I think it's with the placement of the managers.

That's another thing, the original SWA managers, or you guys call them supervisors, are pretty good IMO. I've only met a few but that are Definitely better than damn near ever original AT supervisor/manager I've known!! Not all original AT managers/Sups are bad, but the vast majority aren't as good as the SWA mangers/sups...

 

[buscador]

I am not ready to call our culture dead or damaged beyond repair yet.
But management should really back off and allow time for some healing after all the changes. If they don't see the value in our positive culture and try to save it, then we may end up like everyone else.
The next couple of years may determine how our culture will be forever.

I hope xUT is wrong.

I find it funny that AT people are trying to tell SWA people what the culture may or not be,, calling SWA people names and making judgements,,, pretty balsy and AV you have no idea about me, my work attitude or me as a person or employee,, but you sure have a lot of names to call me and tell SWA people how this should all be handled,,, WOW

I have to many examples and info to bore everyone with,, but SWA in the 90's was a wonderful company that cared about its employees, HERB.. When we posted a profit in the early 90's, even though meager by todays standards.. the company had parties and made the employees feel proud to be a part of it... After posting one of the best or best quarter in SWA history, there are on back slaps, the congradulations are Quashed by the numbers we should of had, how we can pinch more pennies...

The leadership seems to Harp on employees and very little that a boy, or girl.... the ideology has shifted and because of this, it has not trickled down but has Flooded down.... talking to people around the system I personally hear far more angered stories than I have ever.... The Culture is on its last leg, and like it or not Most people I talk to feel abandoned by the AT deal and with the CSA deal the anger has boiled over...

I have seen the Morris deal, the United threat to try to put us out of business, I have seen a lot over the years..... so do everyone at SWA a favor,, dont tell us how we should or shouldnt think or lecture anyone about Culture... YOu may have gotten a better life with far more pay but that doesnt qualify you to lecture SWA employees on the past...and name calling is a great way to show respect to anyone... nice approach

Funny also is that the only ones to the CSA;s need to Get Over IT are AT people,, if you are to Obtuse to realize that thousands of SWA people just got their Seniority ripped from Them,, however it happened isnt their focus, they are shocked and angered and no amount of Time will heal that Wound,,,, just Reality... I know Morris people that still feel jilted 18+ years later.. I am sure the CSA's will be so excited to see the HUGe raises AT got and then train them and watch them take away their shifts....

GET real, take your money... allow the SWA people to get their minds around it all and keep your advice to a minimum... just a suggestion but people like AVtech cant seem to find the Shut Up button and are so incredibly Wise they think everyone wants to hear advice from AT on How we should handle it..and rah rah lets move on Together and blah blah blah,, I understand cause if I just Upgrade my life pulling in 10's of thousands of $$ more a year... I would want smooth sailing too,,,,