Tempe Going CHEAP on the A330-200's

[InternationalShannon]

The "industry standard" only matters when executives are excusing their obscene pay and bonus structure.

how embarrassing.

 

[SS255]

I have a suggestion: If Tempe is going to stick hard and fast to their unacceptable seat configuration, can they at least order these new birds with the pod seats where the recliners reclines into the seats in front of them???

Let those who choose to recline impinge on their own personal space, not the personal space of the poor sucker who happens to be sitting behind them! That would make a world of difference to those of us who either do not recline, or wish to have some comfort during those times when we are not reclining. 31" pitch is barely tolerable when the person in front of you is sitting upright. It is excruciating when someone is reclining into your face!

 

[Travelpro72]

The fact that management finds crew rest bunks unnecessary and is playing hardball over this speaks VOLUMES on how they feel about their employees. Why is it that an airline like Delta can purchase used a/c such as the 757's from AA that were prior TWA birds and rip the cabin out and replace it all from top to bottom. There is NO concept of a clean, functional working environment at this company. I have a feeling that AFA will not win the argument over the crew rest and the planes will fly as grievances are filed. It will NOT stop the company. They couldn't care any less than they already do. Everything comes down to the the last penny. As for customer service, well considering the low cost chasing crowd is now dwindling and many FF's have left (contrary to what management will admit) they need to think about their service and offerings. People DON'T have to fly you and just as the Southwest airlines commercials state we are usually the same fare until you tack on a fee for everything but air. We are NOT competitive. That is FACT folks.

 

[US Oringinal]

In response to a statement by a flight attendant regarding our seat pitch on the A330s, Doug Parker admitted in the last Crew News session that he would look into the problem. This issue is brought to his attention just about every session he does in CLT.

It's possibly a sign that management is willing to rethink things. Sincere or not, it's the first time I've heard him say something other than the seating will stay the same.

I don't think our numbers people in Tempe care about repeat customers. It's all about the leisure traveler, the cheapest fare, the cheapest service and filling that seat tomorrow. Unfortunately, many of our best repeat customers end up in the back of the bus.

Like it or not, decisions are made in Tempe out of desperation. Only time will tell if our short term measures to save us really destroy us in the end. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone in management is thinking long term at this point.

BTW...How cam management know who posts on here? Have employees really been brought in?

YES, YES, YES!! At the request of "Management in Tempe" ,I was brought into a meeting with my supervisor and the base manager over posts here. They wanted me to sign "affidavits" refuting my statements on this board. Knowing that I did not slander anyone or USAirways, knowing I did not give away and "sensitive" information, and knowing that all my statements were posted as OPINIONS, I refused to sign anything. I further told them that if this went any further, I would need Union respresentation as well as my personal attorney present at all future meeting or converstaions regarding my activities here.

Never heard another word about it.

I think they were somehow able to trace who I was through my EMail address linked to this account. How they did it, I'm not sure--but I do know for sure:

TEMPE READS THESE BOARDS
TEMPE SPENDS TIME INVESTIGATING PEOPLE WHO POST HERE
TEMPE HAS DIRECTED SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS TO "INTIMIDATE" POSTERS HERE
TEMPE HAS "THREATENED" DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO POST HERE

So..for employees who post here....
-be VERY careful if you are a non-union employee
-know your contract
-know that what you write here is being read by management
-try to remain as "constructive" as you can in your criticism
-do not slander people, US, or state things as "fact"
-be aware that the company can and will use what you write here against you

I haven't heard them doing this in awhile, but I wouldn't be surprised if I got called in this week because of some of my statements(opinions) that I've made regarding the A330-200's

we'll see......

FORE WARNED IS FORE ARMED!

Also (more on topic) Tempe knows full-well that the seat-pitch on the current A330's is an issue!! They know it through onboard surveys and letters to the company about it. About a year ago, someone from Tempe stated that until oil prices came down, they could not even think about removing "revenue" from the aircraft. Maybe now, with lower fuel prices and continuing complaints, Tempe might be reconsidering it. THE SEAT-PITCH TRULY IS HORRENDOUS! Not a flight goes by that we don't hear"never again" from many passengers....

I'd be surprised though if it changes...Tempe does not see the link between seat-pitch and customer satisfaction.......

(in my opinion)

 

[US Oringinal]

How can something that existed before Tempe (and they are continuing) be a sign of "Regional Airline" thinking?

How come USAIR didn't do these things when you were a "Big International" airline?

WHAT?????

Are you not aware that TEMPE came in and reconfiguered almost ALL our aircraft?? Are you not aware that they added tons more seats to our east A/C, took away closets, galleys, seat-pitch, first class seats ALL TO JAM IN MORE COACH SEATS?????

They added something like 40 seats to our A330's alone--reducing seat pitch to a ridiculous point--especially for anyone taller than 5'9"

They reduced the number of seats in F Class on the a320's and 321's

Then they reduced seat pitch in domestic first class on all airbus a/c

Then they replaced Envoy seats on the 767 with total craap seats that break all the time and are VERY uncomfortable

They destroyed domestic First class service and made Envoy service totally sub-standard

All without regard to our customers, their comfort or their satisfaction. And despite what their frontline (mostly East)employees were telling them...


...this is the "regional airline" decision-making mindset people are talking about....
and it seems to dominate every decision that comes out of Tempe


(my opinion)

 

[US Oringinal]

All very good, legitimate points, Piney.

But we employees (and the customers that remain)have to hope that things will change...and we must do our best to facillitate positive change for US.

I have reason to believe that there are BIG things afoot. Big, mostly positive changes for the airline, the employees and the customers.
(and it's not handheld devices to charge for cokes)

For the first time in a few years, I'm optimistic that SERIOUS steps are going to be taken to correct our horrendous customer service issues.

But until the REAL changes start occurring, we need to keep talking about WHAT is wrong and HOW it can be fixed....hopefully it will get through to Sandcastle( or maybe the PHL "satellite hdqtrs")

One thing that they can do is to launch the A330-200's correctly: with F/A crew bunks(appropriate tools for our job) and at least 32-33" seat-pitch in coach(or, with God's help, Premium Economy!!) for our customers satisfaction...or to AT LEAST...meet their expectations.

TEMPE--if they do this right, can make this A/C competitive from the outset...but it doesn't sound like they're going to do it.....

WE MUST COMPETE WITH OTHER AIRLINES FOR PASSENGERS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE!!

 

[sharktooth]

I'd be surprised though if it changes...Tempe does not see the link between seat-pitch and customer satisfaction.......

I wonder if FAs are willing to notify passengers having problems that seat pitch is unusually small for long segments and any resulting medical problems should be evaluated in that light, giving out the CEOs name and phone number, just in case.

 

[Dog Wonder]

It may be more effective for DP to fly PHL-FCO in one of those Coach seats where the center section gets narrower.

 

[sharktooth]

But we employees (and the customers that remain)have to hope that things will change...and we must do our best to facillitate positive change for US.

While commendable, "hope" is a last resort, assuming you are down to no options left.

USAir responds to public embarrassment, only.

A friend, who will not post here, is working up a description of what happened to him and his crew out of BCN the first week of Oct. It involves a regular soap opera of corporate intimidation of employees and a healthy dose of Tempe incompetence. The results made the BCN newspaper "passengers rioted", well, at least they have some self-esteem. It includes a complete failure of security, due to corporate policies as well as Tempe arrogance.

Day two was even worse, with two Tempe tourists (two corporate types) supposedly whining that the cockpit PAs suggesting passengers contact Doug instead of taking their frustrations on the FAs, were unprofessional. Personally, I would have tossed the TTs to the passengers, like throwing blood into shark-infested waters.

Change will come, but only if every employee stands up for each other, without question. One act of "rebellion" can multiply and force change. This is a war started by management and, with few exceptions, always ceded by employees. You want change? Turn your "hope" into action.

 

[LCC_#1]

As for the crew rest, it sux but there are other airlines with long trips like this one that don't have an F/A rest area.

Example, please?

 

[LCC_#1]

If Tempe reads all this and is on the hunt, they need to get a life!! No wonder our airline sucks! Sounds to me like they can't handle the truth of their incompetence! Bring it on, Tempe ARSEHOLES!!

 

[FlightChic]

This is truly unacceptable and I will be writing mgmt about this. Can anyone pm me and tell me who exactly I need to send this to? I have some other issues to discuss with them as well. It absolutely infuriates me that they can't see us as human beings. That's right!

WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS!!! WE NEED A DECENT CREW REST AREA AND THOSE HORRIBLE TINY SEATS AREN'T ENOUGH! MAYBE YOU SHOULD WORK TWO 13 HOUR RED EYES AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL WHEN YOUR ONLY TIME TO REST IS IN A CRAMPED AND UNCONFORTABLE COACH CLASS SEAT THAT BARELY RECLINES AND IS SO TINY THAT YOU BARELY EVEN FIT EVEN WHEN YOU ARE A SIZE 0 LIKE ME!!! CAN YOU WORK HARD ALL NIGHT LIKE THAT WITHOUT NEEDING REST? IF YOU CAN THEN GOOD FOR YOU BUT MOST NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS CANNOT! I KNOW FOR ME I CAN'T FUNCTION VERY WELL AND MY MIND IS NOT QUITE AS SHARP AS IT IS IN THE DAYTIME AFTER I'VE HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. EVEN WORSE, WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU CALL OUT RESERVES WHO HAVE BEEN UP ALL DAY SINCE EARLY IN THE MORNING WAITING FOR SCHEDULING AND THEN FORCE US TO WORK THESE FLIGHTS WITHOUT PROPER REST? WE'RE NOT ENERGIZER BUNNIES! WE DON'T KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING LIKE YOU MIGHT THINK WE SHOULD!

If they are as opposed to us having proper crew rest quarters as it appears, then it is apparent that they really don't care us which is not a surprise but it is beyond annoying.

I remember last year there was a gentleman sitting in one of the seats on the A330 and he made a comment about how small the seats were. I looked and he was squeezed into the seat and barely fit, and this was not a large man at all. He was thin, probably thinner than most. I've non-reved to Europe and had to sit in coach going over since there weren't any Envoy seats and I was so cramped and I said "NEVER AGAIN!!!" Luckily they had an available seat in Envoy on the way back. They probably won't even read the email that I send or listen to what I have to say but at least I tried.

 

[PHL]

Example, please?

AA and DL 767-300ER aircraft come to mind, but I'm sure we can find other airlines flying 767's on long routes without any real crew rest. You can do the research as to the routes, but there are some long ones (like ATL-FCO). I'm not sure, but what about CO 767-400 that flies EWR-HNL? That's a long haul, too.

As to the 31" pitch discussion, I'm not disagreeing that it sucks. But ALL THE COMPETITION DOES IT TOO. Why should Tempe change to actually be better than the competition?!?

 

[Travelpro72]

While the industry norm seems to be 31" pitch the last few rows of the A330 center seats are NOT 31" and are awful to ride in. I couldn't imagine having to sit in those seats for 8 hours or more.

 

[BoeingBoy]

One has to remember that there is actual seat pitch as measured by the distance between hardpoints for successive seats, then there is effective seat pitch. Effective seat pitch is affected not only by the actual pitch, but by the seat itself - specifically the seat back. Two airliners, both with 31" pitch but one with 1/2" thinner seatbacks - the one with thinner seat backs will have 31.5" effective pitch.

Jim