Well,
March the 3rd came and went with the minimum of fuss. Our union would have had us believe that the "company" was acting in a rash , unprepared manner, and that chaos was afoot.
Apparently not.
Please guys, learn to pick the right battles. Openly criticizing everything simply because of its source only makes you seem petulant and marginalizes your viewpoint. It undermines any credibility at real, valid criticisms you may have.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
The SHARES debacle
As we all know, the new (old) reservations system has caused many delays and discomfort. As I have been largely critical of our union on this blog, I feel it only right to spread the good cheer once in a while.
Whereas the SHARES system may be cheaper and therefore desirable for us to use, management would do well to tweak it a little so that the system runs better.
1) The TICKETS! Get rid of the gate # printed on them as it may be very misleading. Print the destination and flight number in print somewhat larger than a credit card disclaimer please. Every CSR I have talked to agrees with this.
2) Review the available-to-be-booked numbers. Some high density flights are being chronically overbooked resulting in large denied boarding payouts. Irresponsible!!
3) Observe contractual agreements. SHARES will book a deadheading pilot in THE WORST SEAT POSSIBLE (i.e. as far back and a middle seat) as it can. It is then incumbent upon the CSR to rectify the problem............if the prearranged (i.e printed on your trip) seat is still available. If not, tough on you. Now, going to an assignment you have some clout. But going home you are very much the pauper in this negotiation. Needless to say this has caused untold acrimony between the CSRs and deadheading pilots. There is no reason for this. It simply causes delays and shows the company off in a very poor light to the public.
Management can demonstrate how committed it is to efficient operations by rectifying these problems. We don't need a study group. We don't need a committee of bureaucrats meddling. These are simple I.T. issues easily resolved in a matter of days.
Please get on it.
Whereas the SHARES system may be cheaper and therefore desirable for us to use, management would do well to tweak it a little so that the system runs better.
1) The TICKETS! Get rid of the gate # printed on them as it may be very misleading. Print the destination and flight number in print somewhat larger than a credit card disclaimer please. Every CSR I have talked to agrees with this.
2) Review the available-to-be-booked numbers. Some high density flights are being chronically overbooked resulting in large denied boarding payouts. Irresponsible!!
3) Observe contractual agreements. SHARES will book a deadheading pilot in THE WORST SEAT POSSIBLE (i.e. as far back and a middle seat) as it can. It is then incumbent upon the CSR to rectify the problem............if the prearranged (i.e printed on your trip) seat is still available. If not, tough on you. Now, going to an assignment you have some clout. But going home you are very much the pauper in this negotiation. Needless to say this has caused untold acrimony between the CSRs and deadheading pilots. There is no reason for this. It simply causes delays and shows the company off in a very poor light to the public.
Management can demonstrate how committed it is to efficient operations by rectifying these problems. We don't need a study group. We don't need a committee of bureaucrats meddling. These are simple I.T. issues easily resolved in a matter of days.
Please get on it.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The introduction
Many of you know me from flying here, or previously at Pan Am, or from the picket line at Eastern in '89. You know me to be honest and not weak, so please understand that this is is not a product of self service or management aspirations but a real desire to get the best available for everyone.
I am not a management "dupe". I am a pragmatist. I do not see the issue we have here as an "us versus them". I see it as tripartite: The management-ALPA-you. WE are not being told everything we need to know. Your representatives have your fate in their hands and frankly, I don't trust them to act in your best interests. Egos and absolutes are at work here so, as in the unfortunate past, there is a real possibility of a tragic, life changing decision being made on your behalf because of the "heels dug in/ I'm not giving anything else up" attitude that will ultimately derail all negotiations, give you a USAir scenario, and put us in an even worse economic climate in which to try and get a deal down the road.
It's interesting that when people here speak one on one we are far more apt to accept the idea of some bargained concessions in exchange for more pay and security, but in a group we shout it out: Hell, just vote NO! Sounds tough. Plays well in the schoolyard.
Your representatives are costing you money. Money you will never get back.
Contact your reps and tell them to get it done. Accept competitive wage scales on everything RIGHT DOWN TO THE RJs, grant management the flexibilty they need to be profitable and secure your future.
Let's hear your thoughts.
I am not a management "dupe". I am a pragmatist. I do not see the issue we have here as an "us versus them". I see it as tripartite: The management-ALPA-you. WE are not being told everything we need to know. Your representatives have your fate in their hands and frankly, I don't trust them to act in your best interests. Egos and absolutes are at work here so, as in the unfortunate past, there is a real possibility of a tragic, life changing decision being made on your behalf because of the "heels dug in/ I'm not giving anything else up" attitude that will ultimately derail all negotiations, give you a USAir scenario, and put us in an even worse economic climate in which to try and get a deal down the road.
It's interesting that when people here speak one on one we are far more apt to accept the idea of some bargained concessions in exchange for more pay and security, but in a group we shout it out: Hell, just vote NO! Sounds tough. Plays well in the schoolyard.
Your representatives are costing you money. Money you will never get back.
Contact your reps and tell them to get it done. Accept competitive wage scales on everything RIGHT DOWN TO THE RJs, grant management the flexibilty they need to be profitable and secure your future.
Let's hear your thoughts.
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