Changes Coming to HDQ Next Week

[TWU informer]

American Airlines chairman and CEO Tom Horton told D/FW-based pilots at their base meeting that they can expect to see some changes at headquarters next week.

 

[Flying low]

Proof???

 

[Tex-Mech]

Proof???

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/02/update-on-the-american-airline.html

That's where it came from

 

[Super FLUF]

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/02/update-on-the-american-airline.html
That's where it came from

Horton did appear at the DFW base meeting yesterday. I couldn't make it as I was flying, but a couple of guys did post notes on the APA board.

Horton showed up unannounced and spoke for about an hour. It was the usual rah-rah BS. He did in fact say that there would be more changes in the leadership team next week. Most of the presentation talked about the aircraft deliveries, growth of the airline etc..

There was no real earth shattering news to come out of the surprise appearance. As expected, most of the "questions" were guys blasting him about stuff in the company's term sheets. His responses were weak IMO. Here was an example - "A question asked about the 1113 proposal referred to it as "Draconian", inquiring why it couldn't have been positive. Mr. Horton's response to the question was "it wouldn't have been in your interest."

 

[damajagua]

While it sounds interesting I don't expect major changes at the top.
A nice surprise would be to push Brundage out the window of the
top floor oft center port 4. Unfortunately the building is not
high enough. He might survive.

 

[TWU informer]

I think they should push out every person that is currently in an employee management structure that required outsource of functions.
Prior to Chapter 11 filing, in Tulsa alone, we saw the Overland Resource Group. RLG Consulting, Boston Consulting.
Most of these firms were following around lower management heads "coaching" them on how to do their daily functions properly.

If my job gets outsourced I get laid off.

To date it appears management outsourced work includes, Labor Relation, Fleet Management, Legal, and Finance.

There is a boat load of overhead that has either been outsourced or the request to outsource is in the Chapter 11 Docket to be determined.

Either stop the outsource of these functions and make employees prove their worth, or continue outsource and cut the heads.
That is what each union is looking at currently, should be no different for management.

The main source of discourse regarding the management bonus program was directly related to the fact that management functions were needing these outside firms to function, the results were still dismal at best, and then at the annual conclusion of ignorance, they were given performance bonus awards. Most employees I work around do not mind high paid QUALITY management because that is required to survive. Where the rub comes is the outsourced job functions with continued failure, all the while paying performance bonus awards. Enough to kill any company from within, in my opinion.

 

[eolesen]

A nice surprise would be to push Brundage out the window of the top floor oft center port 4.

Uh, CP4 isn't the main building... that would be CP5, which is six stories, and surrounded by concrete on all sides. Unfortunately, the way both buildings are constructed, there are 24" ledges between the windows and the dropoff. Pushing someone out the window wouldn't do much except take out some sun-baked pigeon droppings.


From what I heard last week, they've been doing some personality profiling of the top executives and their direct reports at the MD level. And no, this isn't a joke. Apparently, someone has finally discovered that there are a few people running organizations as empires, a few people who have no interpersonal skills, and a few who simply are really smart & competent people but easily intimidated by someone above/below them. And there are a few people with combinations of those qualities...

I was an education major in college, and one of the concepts we learned about for elementary age kids was educational profiling -- matching up students with particular learning or behavioral styles with specific teachers best suited for those styles. That's more or less politically incorrect to do anymore, but still happens to some degree.

Rather than just firing everyone & starting fresh, just imagine if take all the real asshats & lump them together. The ones who aren't killed off just might be extra-effective, especially since saying "that's a stupid idea" isn't usually a problem with those types.

Likewise, take all the analytical types who can listen to all sides of an argument, & lump them together. They probably get swayed or pushed around by the asshats now currently in their organizations...

While mostly satirical, there really could be some value in taking that type of an approach...

 

[TWU informer]

Just go ahead and hire outside professionals and dispense with the agony of politics and good ol'e boys.

Run their asses off then ask the judge to approve the outside professional hiring requested.

Should be cost reductions to the bottom line if done honestly.

I actually trust the outside professional more than I trust anyone in this upper management club.
I have some questions about your worth to AA "E" but wouldn't want to violate board rules in pursuit of those.

 

[Buck]

You just have to push very hard.

If Horton could ensure that people who can run maintenance are put into those positions.

What should management do when there are an insufficient amount of personal to wash the aircraft when entering a heavy check?

By not washing the main gear wheel well and the wings, inspection generated 10x the number of write ups as corrosion , which adds time and expense to the check.

38 aircraft cleaners put in their resignations this month in TUL.

 

[Tex-Mech]

38 aircraft cleaners put in their resignations this month in TUL.

Hearing a rumor that 200 mechanics have already retired or are going to retire in Tulsa since the ask came out. Any truth to it?

 

[Buck]

There are approximately 800+ people who have put in for retirement. No one has said whether they are all union or not. One Crew Chief who works next dock over attempted to apply last week and was told to come back in April.