from CLT base update letter Misguided Fuel Training
As we move away from the ill-fated and ill-advised fuel training of 8 of our most senior pilots, the Company is hoping that this poorly planned event fades into our memories and goes away. Your leadership will not allow this to occur until positive action by the Company to not only apologize to the 8 affected pilots but to the entire pilot group for stepping outside the bounds of our contract and the AQP program. The USAPA Safety and Training Committees are actively seeking closure on this issue with the Company and want assurances from all concerned that this type of intimidation and behavior will never again be used against any of our pilots. We are asking our pilots to stay informed on this issue and know that the entire BPR is firm in its resolve to defend Captain's Authority, and to prevent any further occurrence of this type of disciplinary action by management in the future.
Be Careful Out There
On Monday, August 25th, LAS weather caused several minimum fuel diversions into numerous airports on the West Coast. Flight 781, a 757, was dispatched into LAS with a scheduled landing fuel of 11,500 lbs. The Captain on this flight was one of the 8 Captains that were called in for fuel school. He was brought into fuel school for adding fuel on 17% of his flights with an average increase of 2790 lbs. This 30 year Captain, with approximately 10 years of experience on the 757, had personal policy based upon his experience that he would land with no less than 10,000 lbs for east coast destinations, and 14,000 lbs in LAS due to the lack of available nearby alternates. Monday, due to his recent experience with the fuel training discipline, he elected to go with dispatched fuel load. Upon arrival in the LAS terminal area there was a severe thunderstorm on the airport with microbursts that closed the airport. The flight was directed into a holding pattern with 11,500 lbs on board and after one turn the crew elected to proceed to their alternate of ONT. Due to traffic and weather they declared minimum fuel yet ATC vectored them east for 10 minutes to climb to 24,000 ft due to restricted airspace. The crew flew to ONT at long range cruise and eventually landed with 5000 lbs, well below the minimum landing fuel for the 757. Once on the ground they saw 8 other minimum fuel US Airways flights and took an extensive delay before returning to LAS.
The point of this story is that this Captain was disciplined by our flight operations and training department for using his experience, and for doing what he was taught prior to the recent fuel schooling. The dispatchers are being pressured by our management to reduce arrival fuel loads, and now that intimidation is being applied to our Captains. As a result, some of our pilots are attempting to adjust their safety margins. We implore each and every one of our Pilots to exert your authority and exercise your judgment to keep each and every one of your flights in the "green." The unfortunate negative effect of the recent fuel "training" is how our pilots are thinking while operating their flights. This further demonstrates our points on this issue and we all know that the use of intimidation as discipline can lead to disaster. Do not let this Management influence your safety concerns regarding your operations. We must all be good Captains and be fully aware of our operational needs; enforce your final Captain's Authority to maintain the ultimate in safety.
This is another clear cut example that has been created by the flawed corporate culture at US Airways. Their attitude of "By shooting a few they will educate the rest" is not the way we should be doing business. Again, we all understand the need for fuel conservation but when intimidation is put into the safety net, bad things can and will happen. That being said, Be Careful Out There!