CLT Bag Room Conditions ..REALLY Unsafe?

[SparrowHawk]

Art and Sparrow.

I would like to know where the outcry was when fresh out of the first Chapter 11 and US outsourced our work, which we took them to court and won, and then wone again in arbitration?

Where were you all during the first chapter 11 when we were threatened after all ready giving concessions with the company closing the door by Dr (bonehead) Bronner and we had to take more concessions?

Where were you during the second chapter 11 when we all got hosed very bad?

Those issues were just a we bit more important than a bad belt broken.

I think I attempted to address these very legitimate concerns in this prior post.

In order to maintain a dialog with Sr Management, we had to agree that any public statements regarding Organized Labor was verboten. Reluctantly we agreed to their terms in order to more effectively represent our constituency. If you remember you and I along with Pitbull had some knock down drag out interchanges here. Through it all we gained a grudging respect for each other.

I can not tell you the number of times I got calls from US regarding comments made here. I/we lost our conduit to Sr. Management after the Christmas Meltdown for supporting the DOT and IAM position regarding fault and publicly calling for Al Crellin's dismissal.

I personally have never wavering from my position that in order to have Customer Satisfaction you first have to have employee satisfaction. Union or not I don't care. After 10 years of this BS I'm tired of the average Joe/Jane taking it in the shorts from their employer. It's past time to fight back.

I'm truly sorry you feel we didn't defend your position as well as you might have preferred. As a group we felt that maintaining a dialog with Sr Management was better then a confrontation and losing that dialog. After all you can't have a conversation regarding the way people are treated if they won't take your call.

I'll never ever forget one particularly rancorous call between Lime Boy and I. I was all the way up his ass over what was happening and he lost patience with me and he said something along the lines of, "Bob, I hear you, Hell I even agree with most of what you're saying. We weren't hired to make nice, we were hired to save US Airways. Do you have any idea what it's like to sit in a meeting and talk about laying off 10,000 people? These people did nothing wrong, NOTHING and they're going to get hurt and the ones who stay are going to work for less & probably lose their pensions because if we don't get our costs down to Jet Blue levels there won't be a US Airways"

I understand your frustration, I do, way down deep. I did the best I could and I failed, I'm sorry. I never did anything like this before, I had no experience so I flew by the seat of my ass. I did it not for personal gain, I did it because it felt right to speak out. Did I get it right 100% of the time? No Sir I didn't, so I asked questions here and you guys educated me and I appreciate it. God Dammit somebody had to speak up. The low point for me was on C concourse in PHL right before the Meltdown when an agent who I had given some Candy and a card to chased me down and asked "Are you Bob"? "Yes" I replied. His words are as clear as if they were spoken ten minutes ago. He said, "Thank you so much for trying to save our jobs". For a second my knees actually buckled and I thanked him with a cracking voice and went on my way. I was with Teddy at Greentree giving out about $300 worth of candy not to long before the closing. Everyone was clapping and stuff and Teddy looked over with tears streaming and say "Better say something because I can't". I looked over and said "What makes you think I can?" I managed to get "Thank You" out and we left.

I'm sorry 700UW that you feel we didn't fight hard enough, I gave it my very best shot. Sorry I let you guys down.

 

[700UW]

Honest post, nice.

 

[signals]

I think people are still talking out their arses. Baggage belt maintenence goes to the host airport not the airlines. It is a landlord-tenant type agreement. I'm guessing that people are aware of the problem and working around it. Some folks want to go so far as getting the feds involved, and that is ridiculous. As long as there is a marker that lets folks know the belt is in need of repair, or out of order, OSHA is happy. In my area, they put red cones on the effected belt. Airlines work around it by using working belts in that section. So usually they may have to use, say US's belt or US using B6's belt.

The only problem that I can see is that flights arrive at once and there is congestion at the baggage belt. This is why I really don't see a downed baggage belt as a safety issue! 🙄

 

[Harry Callahan]

Art are you for real? Really a passenger and not some plant? I am pretty sure US Airways has spent more then any other airline in the last few years on baggage infrastructure. You a pathetic troll!

And you need to visit the bag room any day between say 1600-1900 & see the volume of bags on the belt. The system is way behind & US over schedules these int'l flights. On a "good" day the belts have so many bags on them they will not run. I would be scared to even guess how many of our customers bags miss due to this. So just keep on being in denial & go back to Doug's office.

And yes the bagrrom is VERY SHORT STAFFED, Keep on denying that.

 

[Harry Callahan]

And by the way in the past I've attempted to make suggestions to management how this problem can be helped in a small way. Guess what it fell on deaf ears.

 

[Pi brat]

And by the way in the past I've attempted to make suggestions to management how this problem can be helped in a small way. Guess what it fell on deaf ears.

It seems to me that the whole CLT airport is crumbling. Jetways broken, bag belts, taxiways. They've done a good job of keeping the cost low, but maybe they cut a little too close to the bone.

 

[InternationalDan]

And you need to visit the bag room any day between say 1600-1900 & see the volume of bags on the belt. The system is way behind & US over schedules these int'l flights. On a "good" day the belts have so many bags on them they will not run. I would be scared to even guess how many of our customers bags miss due to this. So just keep on being in denial & go back to Doug's office.

And yes the bagrrom is VERY SHORT STAFFED, Keep on denying that.

I have entered the bagroom at these times, andlook at the TSA belt, it is also overwelmed...and temperatures are not the coolest on the ramp in the bagrrom, with the fans blowing hot air....especially where you are standing Harry....I would imagine you have several fans blowing on you at that time Harry...

 

[Dilligas]

We have been hearing for a while about unsafe conditions in the CLT bag room, primarily due to their being shorthanded. Now we are hearing that conditions there tonight in particular are especially dangerous.

Apparently one belt is broken, and they are working with only one belt. They are having to pull bags and put them on the ground, meaning there is no room for carts, and creating a potential tripping hazard. To those who work there....is this as unsafe as it sounds? I have heard this from more than one person...what say you? I want to make sure everyone stays safe out there...

Thanks.

Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. Art, you have reached a new low starting this thread.

You appear to have lost your "focus".

I'm always amused by your and Bob's feigned concern for the employees of US. And if I have to read the candy stories with the violins playing in the background one more time, I think I'll puke.

I recall telling you both years ago that the company regarded your little "club" as tools to be manipulated and you traded your independence and integrity for access to senior management and some perceived "status". When previous US management was done using you and your club they discarded you and current management doesn't seem to be the least concerned with you or your opinions. You and your group were played and only way too late did you realize it.

This thread has little to do with any true concern about US employees. It's manipulative and designed to be inflammatory. Because you and your clique are no longer the pretty girl at the dance being flirted with... you're the truckstop gal that sold herself cheap and after being used, discarded. So you seize upon any opportunity to attack US. You are bitter because you were deemed irrelevant.

How long will you linger on, filling the internet with your unhealthy obsession with an airline? It's over, move on. It's a new day. Only the truly naive or newcomers see you as anything other than the narcissistic and manipulative people you are. I've read many posts the two of you wrote during the years you were shilling for management when it suited your self interests. Unlike some others on here, I remember.

BTW, I've seen the bagroom conditions in CLT... hot as hades in summer, cold in winter, dirty, crowded, etc. I support those that do tough work under those conditions. I just don't pretend to support them on the internet when it suits my personal agenda.

 

[Art at ISP]

I remember the incidents that Sparrow mentions very well. We were also present when Greentree closed...and much of what we do and have done is quiet and behind the scenes, and never reaches these boards.

This is not about bashing US Airways in particular but if the shoe fits..... This is about people on the line fed up and frustrated that a company which gives them specific targets and goals fails to make sure they have the tools necessary to do their jobs safely and efficiently. This is about a company which is less than honest with both employees and customers on a regular basis, and consistently steps over dollars to pick up pennies.

I have always acted out of concern for my fellow customers and the employees on the front line ... Not for self-aggrandizement or to get perks I don't feel we deserve. Can you say the same, Up? I think not...

Troll? I think not E....but how is the mirror treating you lately?

 

[Art at ISP]

Dilligas you are truly clueless...like you know where we have been and what we have done. I could care less what you think. The issue in this thread was brought to us by those with first hand knowledge of the situation, and who wanted it brought into the open. That's all I will say about it.

With all the insults and personal attacks, you and your colleague Up are just making the reports that much more credible. Thanks for that.

 

[Dilligas]

Dilligas you are truly clueless...like you know where we have been and what we have done. I could care less what you think.

Ever notice when one turns on a light in dark room, the cockroaches will scurry?

Your cockroach club (which US management got you to change to FFOCUS when they co-opted your group and neutered you) was aptly named the first time.

You may not like my opinion, but you are foolish to describe me as clueless. As to what you do, or what you've done, your pal manages to cram that stupid candy story into almost every thread on the board for the last six or seven years. Yes that is an exaggeration, but we know it by heart by now.

And if you truly could care less what I think, you wouldn't address me or my comments. I've noticed over the years, you and your BFF are incredibly thin skinned whenever anyone calls you on your hypocrisy. You never address issues which are raised, you only attack the poster. You both have an unhealthy obsession with US Airways and are self appointed experts on all matters airline even though you have zero experience working "in the arena" as your pal loves to say.

You sir, are clueless about the CLT bag room. You are posting what someone else alleged to you. Is that responsible or fair? Anyone who has ever read my posts on here knows that I am in no way an apologist or defender of US management, past or present. I've been consistent, straight talking, and have supported the long suffering employees of US long before the cockroach club. You just don't like posts that highlight the manipulative and intellectually dishonest nature of your statements.

It's fine to post in your own self interest. Just don't try to color it as being for the employees and totally altruistic in nature. You guys knifed the employees many times in the past and would do so again if management was coddling you again like they did when they outfoxed you. Many of the old regulars gave up on this board during the last several years, and the more recent readers don't know the background, but I was here, I read the things you all wrote, and I remember.

The plane has left the runway and you were left behind. Life goes on. Get over yourselves and lose this obsession with US. They have shown they don't care what you think. You have for the most part boycotted flying on US. Yet you take every opportunity for cheap shots at US with your passive aggressive posts about "supporting the employees". I call BS. :blink:

And the odd thing is, I actually think you are probably a decent guy (when you avoid self aggrandizement and playing martyr). I just don't agree with your tactics.

 

[700UW]

FFOCUS own mission statement disregarded employees and actually favored management and said basically the employees should do whatever the company wants and give up union protections.

Where were you when during the first bankruptcy when Bronner threatened to shut the company down right before Christmas if we didnt take more concessions?

Where were you when they blatantly violated our CBA and send overhaul to AL?

Where were you when the pilots lost their pension?

Where were you during the second bankruptcy when they laid off 46% of maintenance, tons of others and took the rest of the employees pension?

Bottom line is your group was all about getting perks from US while the employees struggled to pay their bills and put food on their tables.

Where was the outcry when they terminated the pensions and took away medical insurance from the retirees?

And when the X-Mas meltdown happened your group was first in line to blame the employees and I believe some of your group actually wanted too or did volunteer to help with the black log of bags.

It wasnt till Chiames sent you all the enemas did you turn on them, and you changed your tune when the DOT cleared the employees in the meltdown.

The board was silent.

All passengers care about is cheap tickets and dont care if it came at the cost of people losing their jobs, houses, cars and retirement.

 

[Dilligas]

Perhaps they were out buying candy.

"Sorry you lost your job, want some M&M's?" "See how much I care?" "Aren't I wonderful?"

yecch

 

[diamondcutter]

FFOCUS own mission statement disregarded employees and actually favored management and said basically the employees should do whatever the company wants and give up union protections.

Where were you when during the first bankruptcy when Bronner threatened to shut the company down right before Christmas if we didnt take more concessions?

Where were you when they blatantly violated our CBA and send overhaul to AL?

Where were you when the pilots lost their pension?

Where were you during the second bankruptcy when they laid off 46% of maintenance, tons of others and took the rest of the employees pension?

Bottom line is your group was all about getting perks from US while the employees struggled to pay their bills and put food on their tables.

Where was the outcry when they terminated the pensions and took away medical insurance from the retirees?

And when the X-Mas meltdown happened your group was first in line to blame the employees and I believe some of your group actually wanted too or did volunteer to help with the black log of bags.

It wasnt till Chiames sent you all the enemas did you turn on them, and you changed your tune when the DOT cleared the employees in the meltdown.

The board was silent.

All passengers care about is cheap tickets and dont care if it came at the cost of people losing their jobs, houses, cars and retirement.

 

[LD3]

It seems to me that the whole CLT airport is crumbling. Jetways broken, bag belts, taxiways. They've done a good job of keeping the cost low, but maybe they cut a little too close to the bone.

BINGO...we have a winner!!!! If you only knew the true condition of the airport you would be amazed..Why do you think CLT was not dehubbed, because it is so cheap to operate out of here, they use bandages instead of doing major surgery to repair failures..Don't blame the jetway/conveyor crews, they work with the tools they are given, airport mgmnt is only concerned with keeping the cost to operate down, that is their only mission...

I believe running to an outside group was probably not the smartest thing to do, this should have been kept inhouse between the labor group, airline mgmnt & airport mgmnt, there is a monthly tenant and airport safety meeting that could have handled this situation..Can't wait to see how many people start blaming US next week when 18C gets shut down for 70 days....