Totally Amazing

[proAMT]

I find it totally amazing with all the public scrutiny on AA's maintenance practices that the company would propose a dilution of licensed mechanics by 50% at the overhaul bases and 30% at the line stations with unlicensed ASM's (Aviation Support Mechanics). How would that improve our quality of maintenance and our now tainted reputation? Such a move would more than likely land the company in even more hot water down the road.

Remember positive company attitudes such as "Quality from the Ground UP" and Crandall bragging to the public in the flight mag about the quality and experience of each our mechanics? Boy have attitudes changed.

In 2001 the company bragged about providing us with an Industry Leading Contract.

Today we do a lot more with a lot less and we are not even given credit for all the savings we have provided the company since 2003 in current negotiations.

We are not as well off as we were in the spring of 2001 but the company's attitude toward the worker has changed completely-an attitude I find totally amazing.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I agree with your point, but you've got to remember what every airline exec always says vs vhat they mean. They say "Safety is our highest priority" while they mean "Safety is our highest priority unless it costs more money". So I don't share your amazement - it's business as usual for the airlines.

Jim

 

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

I want to know who is going to sign for the work accomplished in the log book on a thru trip at a line station by an unlicensed mechanic ?

 

[MERV]

I want to know who is going to sign for the work accomplished in the log book on a thru trip at a line station by an unlicensed mechanic ?

You'll always find one who is willing to do it. Some already do want it come from a repair shop or overhaul shop. In the repair shop they have couple of certified techs to sign from service tags to log books to make it airworthy. They're cheaper than hiring FAA certified techs. AA right can do it themselves because their shop certified repair shops.

 

[mwa]

maybe because the company is on life suppport and the options have run out.

 

[DallasConehead]

No Problem, the company with Union blessing already has Fleet Service people doing the on gate inlet inspections during the current weather event. (Hope theres not a double engine FOD, that guy will be in the unemployment line)

This goes hand in hand with the Fleet Service inspections of the cargo compartments, slat seals, landing gear, wing/fuselage skin surfaces including flight controls and engines and anything else they think the flight crew should bring to maintenances' attention.

 

[JimJimmyJim]

No Problem, the company with Union blessing already has Fleet Service people doing the on gate inlet inspections during the current weather event. (Hope theres not a double engine FOD, that guy will be in the unemployment line)

This goes hand in hand with the Fleet Service inspections of the cargo compartments, slat seals, landing gear, wing/fuselage skin surfaces including flight controls and engines and anything else they think the flight crew should bring to maintenances' attention.

The great thing about the Fleet Service Inspections is the flight crew seldom knows of any problem. Fleet Service notifies the tower, tower notifies maintenance. Maintenance goes to sign off the log book and the flight crew knows nothing about it. You gotta love it.

 

[Boomer]

The great thing about the Fleet Service Inspections is the flight crew seldom knows of any problem. Fleet Service notifies the tower, tower notifies maintenance. Maintenance goes to sign off the log book and the flight crew knows nothing about it. You gotta love it.

Aircraft mechanics at AA have been subjected to scrutiny from the FAA for signing off cabin items listed under chapter 10 of the ATA based on second hand information because they signed the pirep off without actually confirming accomplishment.

No aircraft mechanic should ever sign off an inspection item without having either witnessed that the inspection/correction took place or accomplishing the inspection themselves. Second hand verbal information that a particular item has been cleared, without written or visual confirmation only opens the doors to a letter of investigation from the FAA to any certificated airman signing that work as completed.

If AA wants the ramp to accomplish inspections on aircraft that landed on runways contanimated with slush/snow prior to advising the flight crew to retract flight surfaces into the stowed position, and, the flight crew noted this in the logbook: let the aircraft maintenance management sign it off unless the aircraft mechanic was present when the inspection took place or they accompanied the ramp during the inspection.

 

[TWU informer]

Given the company position lately, which seems to imply that a paltry $150.00 Customer Experience Award is adequate compensation in exchange for years of concessions, I am not one bit amazed they now want to use unlicensed AMT's.

The Bean Counter has not a clue how damaging the "just plug a warm body into a vacancy" has become. There is complete disregard for skill and committment and only a focus on cost.

Continuation of this policy will indeed reduce safety margins and eventually bite this company right square in the ARSE.

 

[captianamerica]

If you read the proposal on the ASM(TWU Website), its says they will assist the mech in the performance of his duties,but cannot sign anything that requires an A&P license...And your right who is going to sign for this!! Sure isnt me ....



....

I want to know who is going to sign for the work accomplished in the log book on a thru trip at a line station by an unlicensed mechanic ?

 

[JimJimmyJim]

Aircraft mechanics at AA have been subjected to scrutiny from the FAA for signing off cabin items listed under chapter 10 of the ATA based on second hand information because they signed the pirep off without actually confirming accomplishment.

No aircraft mechanic should ever sign off an inspection item without having either witnessed that the inspection/correction took place or accomplishing the inspection themselves. Second hand verbal information that a particular item has been cleared, without written or visual confirmation only opens the doors to a letter of investigation from the FAA to any certificated airman signing that work as completed.

If AA wants the ramp to accomplish inspections on aircraft that landed on runways contanimated with slush/snow prior to advising the flight crew to retract flight surfaces into the stowed position, and, the flight crew noted this in the logbook: let the aircraft maintenance management sign it off unless the aircraft mechanic was present when the inspection took place or they accompanied the ramp during the inspection.

AMTs dont sign for an inspection that the rampers do. Once made aware of a issue AMTs check out the problem and if it isnt in the logbook we put a maintenance entry in the logbook and work the item from there.

 

[Hopeful]

No one touches a log book except for maintenance after a pilot makes a pirep.

 

[Deleted member 14439]

For what its worth regarding the "ASM" thing. We should not even talk to them until that if off the table. Give them this, and that is GAME OVER for certificated maechanics. This is the single biggest issue I would strike over. I remember full well the 'replacement by attrition" when the 1995 srp program came online. This would be no different. I am doing all I can to inform my friends and contacts outside of aviation that AA wants to replace us with unlicensed "mechanics". I am so disgusted I can`t find the words...rounds out

 

[Deleted member 14439]

If you read the proposal on the ASM(TWU Website), its says they will assist the mech in the performance of his duties,but cannot sign anything that requires an A&P license...And your right who is going to sign for this!! Sure isnt me ....


assist the mechanic? Just how many mechanics do you think will be shown the door so these "helpers" can "help'?
....

 

[joanne]

No one touches a log book except for maintenance after a pilot makes a pirep.

Must be that "NY attitude thing" right ??

GOD BLESS you guys.

(glad my non stop to SEA flt. originates in JFK) !!!!!!!!!!