ASSESSMENT
OF THE "PHILLY PHIASCO"
The
Department of Transportation has
launched their own investigation into
the highly publicized events that
transpired here over the Christmas
holiday. We here at US Airways should
be launching our own reassessment of
the situation.
In
order to accurately and fully assess
accountability of this past holiday
season, we would need data that is not
immediately available to us.
Therefore, our analysis of the
situation is based upon years of
experience and un-implemented
suggestions made to management. The
bottom line is that management runs
Philadelphia on a shoe string, and
this time the people that usually
cover for them through outstanding
effort and devotion were not able to
overcome the mountain of obstacles
that management's understaffing
caused. This understaffing has been
re-emphasized by the announcement that
the Company needed over 100 additional
volunteers to complete the staffing
over New Year’s Day weekend.
Running
our Philadelphia operation during good
weather and non-holiday circumstances
is within the realm of management's
planning capabilities.
Anticipation of bad weather and
intense spikes in passengers and
baggage due to the holidays is a
concept for which they have no plan.
Situational alerts could be
implemented that pull personnel in to
airport hotels to ensure availability
when weather is predicted to turn.
Historical review of absenteeism
during holiday periods should cause
them to either schedule more personnel
or provide wage incentives for holiday
work. One of our captains had a
discussion with a manager about the
holiday staffing. This captain
suggested they pay time and a half or
double time to reinforce the need for
the holidays.
The
manager reportedly told him they could
not afford to. Our captain’s
response to this was, "Can you
afford not to?"
The
AFA has been forthcoming quantifying
2003 vs. 2004 absenteeism over the
Christmas holiday period.
Additionally, we would like to know
the following:
1)
Anticipated passenger volume 2003 vs.
2004
2)
Anticipated baggage per passenger 2003
vs. 2004
3)
Weather 2003 vs. 2004
4)
Scheduled workers in the shortage
areas 2003 vs. 2004
5)
Analysis of optimum number of workers
vs. passengers and baggage and if
these numbers were scheduled or even
known
6)
Specific anticipatory managerial
actions taken in advance of this
holiday
The Department of Transportation
intention to create a post chaos
analysis is certainly welcome, but our
Board of Directors silence and lack of
action in this area is embarrassing. A
"Never Again" corporate task
force should be convened immediately
with labor as well as management
participating. This is the only
realistic path for US Airways to
pursue in fixing what some have called
the "Philly Phactor."
January
6, 2005 will be an interesting day on
our property. On that day, the
bankruptcy judge will rule on
abrogating the contracts of the IAM
and AFA if neither has settled. WHAT
CONTINGENCY PLAN DO YOU THINK
MANAGEMENT HAS FOR THIS? An
interesting aside, read the Thursday,
30 December, 2004, USA Today, page 2B
advert for Mechanics at Mobile
Aerospace Engineering Inc.
Your
Philadelphia representatives remain
fully committed to assisting in any
re-evaluation exercise, with the
intent to identify the weaknesses in
our system, and prevent any further
reoccurrence of the events that have
recently transpired.
THE AFA’s NEW PRESIDENT
TAKES OFFICE
As
of January 1, 2005, Ms. Teddy Xidas
has assumed the position of AFA MEC
President. We would like to
congratulate her on taking office, and
offer her our full support in her new
position.
Get
well Gordon McCoy!
GO
EAGLES!
Fraternally,
John
Crocker, Chairman
Dan Von Bargen, Vice-Chairman
