Well you have to go back to 1995 when we gave AA SRPs, other carriers didnt get that, they continued to staff their OH with fully paid mechanics, AA enjoyed a huge cost advantage but after Sept 11 2001 all the carriers wanted to exploit and cash in on the shock of the carnage and slash labor costs, but once AA got us to accept bigger cuts outside of BK than most who went BK initially got through BK they threw in the towel. Having already slashed wages it was unlikely that if they slashed wages to match our OSM levels that those workers would produce, so in an attempt to lessen the cost advantage and compete against AA they laid off thousands and outsourced OH. Now those carriers will push for their version of OSMs, and they will gradually bring more OH back in house but they will be staffing those facilites with their version of OSMs. UAL has a limited version and Delta does as well.
AA had the advantage of implimenting SRPs/OSMs during a period of growth (another example of our ragged trousered philanthropy), that option was not available to AAs competitors post 9-11. Some claim that we were able to save jobs through OSMs and other concessions, the way I see it we were instramental in the elimination of thousands of jobs across the industry at other carriers where the workers acted like like a union. We ruined the profession.
So the carriers didnt save much, or anything by outsourcing but by sending it out and waiting till the recall period has expired they can hire OSMs if they are able to get them in the new agreements, thats why AA is so desperate to get SMAs, to maintain their competative advantage , plus it helps them deal with the impending shortage of A&Ps by pushing A&Ps out of OH. So outsourcing the work wasnt a direct path to savings, its a way getting rid of the high paid workers so they can win the ability to replace them with low paid mechanics like AA has.
We keep hearing that we need to work for less to keep OH in house but we have never been given any information to support this claim, in fact not once have I heard the company say that doing OH in house costs us more, if it did why did AA expand their insoucing when they had 1200 mechanics without system protection? According to to some of the breakdowns I have seen our average wage is $27.00 per hour and vendors charge a minimum of $55/hr. So they pay half what the vendors charge by doing the work in house.
Sort of like what Crandall achieved with the "B scale" deal. ?
I've noticed dropping in on the DL career postings, they are always posting ASM(avia supp mech). Which tends to back up your theory.
Noticed nothing at UAL.
Also...the figure of 55/hr charged by vendors...I figure that's about 19-20/hr for wage, plus any healthcare benes/401k offered(paltry plans-but they do gen offer them for direct hires)...which honestly doens't leave much for profitability for the MRO. I'd have to say that 55/hr would be for the 12-14/hr chumps out of A/P school. You'd have to charge more than 55/hr for your MRO top scale A/Ps to perf that heavy around 20-25/hr + benes.
I've had this discussion about the impending shortage of A/Ps with various guys here at the lazy B. Some dont' believe it. Claiming there will always be A/Ps out there to do the wk. That's partially true.
I say when the senior guys finally get enough of the BS-all they can stand-they're bailing. There will ALWAYS be A/Ps out there. But the QUALIFIED, heavy comml A/P pool...is drying up. These palnes aren't getting any simpler. The 787 is a bit like the 777, but it IS a different animal. It's got some pretty wild systems. Lets face it, most kids today can't get hoods up on there cars. And if it involves geting there hands dirty, forget it. And any kid with a good head on his shoulder, will side step this GOd forsaken industry. And I for one...look forward to the day where the carriers flat ass can't find mechs to work onthese planes. We've been bi**h slapped for so long, they've got it coming. The supply and demand factor should play well in our hands then.
We had this industry where we wanted them back in about 99-2000. Then 9/11 happened. But over the last 10 yrs, those guys have been slowly plucked by the mftrs, carriers that slowly been adding to repl retiring mechs. And some just moved on to something else.
(can't blame them)
If this ind had there way....all OH wk would be outsourced and they'd be happy to hire/staff for the line to keep the planes moving.
But like I said before, thanks to the fricken Trashco scab ass outfit, they're trying to make inroads on providing carrriers with low rent line mechs.(Thanks alot for doing all you can to help the carriers keep our wages at the bottom of the barrel(more for F/As and fly-boys)
you goofballs.)
But you're right. AA has been the trendsetter for lowering wages for the ind-when one looks back over the years!
Thanks.