AFA Thread 5/3-6/6

[Travelpro72]

Considering what we're dealing with I'd say KEEP the me-too clauses. I bet they would leave so many holes in the final agreement that it would be abused left and right. If it were negotiated correctly and to the benefit of all it would be a good thing but I don't see it happening. I guess we as AFA should just remain followers. As we me too with the pilots I guess we'll see a ratified contract by ooooooh say 2020? 🙄

 

[Iheartflying]

Ashamed for me? WHY ?? because when they were hired they were told they could not use illegal drugs and they went through a hard time in their life so they chose to use mother's little helper when they KNEW they would lose their job. This is almost like justifying a pilot flying drunk because his wife is divorcing him and he is having a hard time. Do we accept that?

If these people were tested positive and fired on the job then they were most likely USING on the job which jeopardizes my safety, yours and the safety of our passengers.

I'm glad that they got help and are clean now but how long did it take before they were caught the first time and who will know if they relapse? I have no idea. So, let's DO give them a second chance, that's fine with me BUT, what I asked in the original thread was what do they retain while they were off line/fired for illegal drug use while I am still here doing my job and NOT using illegal drugs? Do we reward bad behaviour with not only their employment back but with all the benefits and seniority too???

What about the FA's that need to take certain prescription meds to function. If they were to ever be drug tested it would definitely show up. What would they do because it's something they need to function on a daily basis. I'm talking about stuff for ADD.

 

[songbirdstew]

What about the FA's that need to take certain prescription meds to function. If they were to ever be drug tested it would definitely show up. What would they do because it's something they need to function on a daily basis. I'm talking about stuff for ADD.

People with anxiety diagnosis or ADD or anything that they may have can be given a prescription for legal drugs to help them with their condition. I know there is a list somewhere of what people can take with a prescription and still perform their job. Kind of like not driving when you are on pain killers or muscle relaxers because those will make you tired or unable to properly perform your duties in case of an emergency then you should not be flying....with or without a prescription. There are no prescriptions (obviously) for illegal drugs.

 

[Travelpro72]

Hey bottom line if times are hard and you turn to DRUGS which you know are NOT allowed and get fired you brought it on yourself. Unlike alcoholism which can be hereditary doing drugs is NOT. I'm so tired of drug addicts being treated as if they have a disease. We ALL have some point in our lives where it would be VERY easy to turn to it as a sort of escape but ya know what?....I have a job that doesn't allow it for safety reasons. You do it and your done. What's the difference of having a high pilot or flight attendant? Passengers and other crew members are relying on you in the event of an emergency. I guess we'll chalk up Betty being slow as just being stoned....no worries until she's tested. 🙄 You play ya pay.

 

[Iheartflying]

Hey bottom line if times are hard and you turn to DRUGS which you know are NOT allowed and get fired you brought it on yourself. Unlike alcoholism which can be hereditary doing drugs is NOT. I'm so tired of drug addicts being treated as if they have a disease. We ALL have some point in our lives where it would be VERY easy to turn to it as a sort of escape but ya know what?....I have a job that doesn't allow it for safety reasons. You do it and your done. What's the difference of having a high pilot or flight attendant? Passengers and other crew members are relying on you in the event of an emergency. I guess we'll chalk up Betty being slow as just being stoned....no worries until she's tested. 🙄 You play ya pay.

As someone that has a significant other that's an addict I have to disagree with you about it not being a disease. Drug addiction along with alcoholism is a disease. I'm not even talking about how it relates to aviation, I'm just speaking in general. Until you've dealt with either of the two firsthand you'll never understand...I never understood because I don't have an addictive personality. But to the addict it's all about getting high and they will do just about anything for the high. Lie, cheat, steal, put themselves or their loved ones in danger. They know it's bad but they do it anyway.
I could go on but it's kinda off-topic for this board. I feel strongly about this. Just because it's stigmatized by society doesn't mean it's not a disease.

 

[InternationalShannon]

What about the FA's that need to take certain prescription meds to function. If they were to ever be drug tested it would definitely show up. What would they do because it's something they need to function on a daily basis. I'm talking about stuff for ADD.

Would anyone on this board question my ADHD? LOL..didn't think so.. My employer is aware of my prescription and I can safely do my job with it. I also take medicine for anxiety. Cuz I just about got ot the point of smacking the living out of someone who jumped across the counter at me after a northeastern storm ruined everyone's week. My medication is a black label medication that is very illegal for , say, a coworker to take though. So in this situation, my prescription drug is illegal if someone else got it.

 

[Travelpro72]

I'm not trying to sound harsh as I DO have two different people in my life friend and family that are trying to fight it now. With that being said you are ALWAYS recovering and NEVER cured. I just don't see the type of job we do as an environment to "give it a go". You mess up you mess up. DONE. Would the person be "forgiven" a second time if God forbid they were responsible for lost lives due to their "illness"? I KNOW for sure that alcoholism IS a disease but choosing to smoke crack or any OTHER drug? I think that's reaching. It's more to do with your addictive personality than the drug itself before you pick it up. Bottom line if you get caught you should NOT get your job back when it deals with being responsible for others lives. Sorry.

 

[N965VJ]

At this point the topic is hearsay, unless I missed something in this hodge-podge of a thread (it’s like walking through the Crew Room and hearing snippets of conversation).

Could it be that the two people we’re talking about came forward before they tested positive?

 

[YVINTERN]

Would anyone on this board question my ADHD? LOL..didn't think so.. My employer is aware of my prescription and I can safely do my job with it. I also take medicine for anxiety. Cuz I just about got ot the point of smacking the living out of someone who jumped across the counter at me after a northeastern storm ruined everyone's week. My medication is a black label medication that is very illegal for , say, a coworker to take though. So in this situation, my prescription drug is illegal if someone else got it.

😛h34r: 😛h34r:

 

[Iheartflying]

Worse case scenario guys...
So if they decide they need to cut capacity how will they do it?
We haven't merged seniority lists so how would they determine who to furlough?

 

[cactusflyer]

Worse case scenario guys...
So if they decide they need to cut capacity how will they do it?
We haven't merged seniority lists so how would they determine who to furlough?

My guess is that IF they furlough it will done in accordance with our respective contracts since we don't have a joint agreement. But again that is only a guess.

Theoretically they will (and better) offer voluntary leaves first. Not sure how you guys are staffed on the east, but out here we are clearly overstaffed at the moment and another class is due to come on line in the next few weeks.

 

[Iheartflying]

My guess is that IF they furlough it will done in accordance with our respective contracts since we don't have a joint agreement. But again that is only a guess.

Theoretically they will (and better) offer voluntary leaves first. Not sure how you guys are staffed on the east, but out here we are clearly overstaffed at the moment and another class is due to come on line in the next few weeks.

Do you think they would ever offer job shares for people that only want to work part time?

 

[beachboy]

Well, if they furlough from the East in inverse order the large majority will still be on the payroll receiving severance for almost 5 months after the release date. By then summer flying is back so it rather negates the reason for the downsizing. Early outs would be offered on the East and with no merged contract, the West would go from their list and the East from ours. First, they have to find a way out of the min fleet count on the East. BK would be the only way I see. If we go down that path there is no coming back this time.

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

If we go down that path there is no coming back this time.

It's hard to believe after all we've been through it comes down to the next 6 months to a year.

I fear you are correct.

 

[sharktooth]

Well, if they furlough from the East in inverse order the large majority will still be on the payroll receiving severance for almost 5 months after the release date. By then summer flying is back so it rather negates the reason for the downsizing. Early outs would be offered on the East and with no merged contract, the West would go from their list and the East from ours. First, they have to find a way out of the min fleet count on the East. BK would be the only way I see. If we go down that path there is no coming back this time.

Would it not seem reasonable to cut low-yield routes, if one were to cut at all? With a preponderance of low-yield routes in the West, it seems quite a bit of cutting would have to happen there before significant cutting would occur in the East.

I agree, if they get to the point that significant cuts occur in the East, most of the West is gone and things would, indeed, be on a rather slippery slope.