AMFA Mechanics contract.08/ 2012

[Glenn Quagmire]

The FAA should be in charge of Duty Limit Restrictions

They do regulate duty times for certificated airmen (pilots, mechanics, dispatchers, ATC)

 

[swa1963]

CFR 121.377 - 24 hrs straight is insane and asking for a mistake! Just MO.

They do regulate duty times for certificated airmen (pilots, mechanics, dispatchers, ATC)

you are correct sir, but it is lax enough that we are able to work nonstop in a short amount of time. for money of course. it needs to be tightened up. for safety sake if nothing else

 

[lineguy]

People are going to come to work tired and fatigued, especially gyd shifters. You can't regulate fatigue. Most bid locations allow for some down time during the shift.

 

[Swadl]

Ok for starters the Goverment needs not to be more involved. Mechanics are not required to work more than there schueduled shift as it is. THEY CHOOSE TOO!! Yes mechanics can be juniored but IV never seen that happen so that's not an argument. Also look at how many mistakes are made by mechanics on the clock for 24hrs. Not one that I can think of that the mechanic used a 24hour shift as an excuse. Also look at OJIs of mechanics on a 24hr shift and compair it to a mechanic on just his regular schueduled shift. The mechanics on just a single shift have 3/4 of the total OJIs. Each mechanics fatigue is different. Just because you don't like guys doing day trades every week if not every day don't ruin it for everybody but suggesting the FAA needs more regulation, that's the worse idea IV ever heard. If I choose to pick up extra shifts for whatever reason I have is my business not anybody else's. And another thing something down the road may happen to you where you need to pick up shifts or give them away and you won't be able to cause you gave the Feds more control. And yes I work doubles and triples all the time and have done it for years without an issue and hopefully I will never have an issue.

 

[superman32870]

The FAA should be in charge of Duty Limit Restrictions

Doesnt the government have enough control over us? Now you want them dictating how much money I can make by limiting hours? Not a good idea. We used to have people work 6 or 7 straight shifts, the mistake rate was no more than it is now. So dont use 24 hrs as an excuse for mistakes.

 

[AvTech04]

Word on the floor is that the company is working really hard on eliminating the 24 hr shift amongst many other things they want to implement into the CBA... i.e. attendance policy, 4th line relief, weeks notice for shift trades, no more double time past 12, all with minimal compensation. Hangar talk, nothing official. Anyone with more info care to elaborate?? That 24 hr shift thing seems to be the biggest priority of them all, from what I've heard.

 

[jimntx]

There are volumes of scientific and medical documentation of sleep deprivation effects. No matter how much of a superman you think you are, you are not as effective and as accurate without sleep as you are with sleep. One of you even stated, "I've worked doubles and triples for years with no problems and hopefully (emphasis mine) never will." Yeah well, what if your child or spouse is on an airplane that hope didn't suffice to give you the consciousness to catch a mistake in time?

Are you gonna say, "Well, yes I had been on duty for 24 hours, but I never had a problem before"? When it comes to other people's safety, it is NOT up to you how much you work or how long you can be on duty. By the time you realize you are in trouble, the plane may have already gone down.

The FAA did not set duty time limits just so they could interfere with your ability to earn extra money. I am surprised that the FAA has not reviewed work records at WN and put a stop to the "24 hours on duty" practice already.

 

[2001hdswa@gmail.com]

People screw up all the time from to much sleep to no sleep. We are human, things happen regardless if you are well rest or not.

 

[2001hdswa@gmail.com]

If we give up the 24 hr rule we are stupid!!!

 

[blue collar]

If we give up any of those items we are stupid.

 

[2001hdswa@gmail.com]

I agree but like I said once before. They show some money and you will see a lot if yes votes.

 

[Swadl]

The FAA has looked into our work rules and hours many times and 98% of the time we fall within the guide lines of the FARs! Once again I say look at past Occurrances and OJI claims and 75% of them are all with people on a regular 8-10hr shift! Another thing the FAA can't just impose a law on just SWA or other airlines. That new law would have to apply to every mechanic with an A&P lic. That means Repair stations, small outfits, even mfg's, like Boeing!! Besides the FARs already have the work rules set with 4 days off a month or 1 day off every 7 days. It's fine the way it is so please quit trying to take away from our current contract. Another thing people remember you can vote NO on what ever they offer us. I say vote NO and lets hold out a few years like the cleaners and dispatchers did! Let's get our contract nego time away from all the other work groups!

 

[superman32870]

I know its just rumors, but I sure hope the committee would not even bring something out to a vote with double time after 12 hours gone. That is crazy!!! They sure do want a lot of stuff from us. I see these negotiations going on for 2 or 3 years.

 

[2001hdswa@gmail.com]

Goodluck to my brothers in Bwi and Mco this up and coming Thursday. I heard that's the day you guys start playing together. Hope they maintain the Swa way but from what I hear its all AirTran management there. Goodluck!!!

 

[Swadl]

I heard a fight broke out in one of those stations with an SWA guy and AirTran guy. But no other info.