From a TWA F/A....Where is the Hypocrisy?

[galleyguy4u2]

<_< FOR THOSE THAT MAY KNOW RATAN> HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT HIM FOR SO LONG> I
noticed he sent this to Arpey/



Dear ladies, gentlemen:
When AMR acquired TWA they touted ''Two great companies, one great
airline.'' It couldn't be more true. Both great companies in their own
rights and yet today the second company forgotten/discarded and AA
flourishes.TWA plays a great positive role in this success no matter how
hard one tries to ignore this fact. The employees of the other great company
set aside like used tissue.
I am writing this not in a victim mentality but to show the abject hypocrisy
that persists with unions and the media that support their every move.
Freedom of speech in America is invaluable. America is the greatest nation
on earth and with God's help the forgotten flight attendants of TWA will
continue on quite admirably with their lives.
Unions always talk about working families, kids going hungry, grandparents
having to choose between medicine and food, family members losing jobs,
family members suffering and perishing without health insurance, women being
mistreated, pensions being taken away just before retirement, older people
being discriminated by employers and other such gems of caution and yet they
have inflicted the very same pain and humiliation on TWA flight attendants.
No union group in the country, nobody from the media and especially not one
union member of the different unions at AMR or elsewhere have even glanced
our way.Where is the mighty IAM? They all know we exist as stepchildren in
the basement but really do a splendid impression of pretending we are not
there, all the while screaming about working families.
APFA protected their pensions recently. I shall lose my recall rights before
I am fifty years of age and my pension shall perish.
A laid off TWA flight attendant who wishes to continue in the aviation
industry will generally begin at approximately $ 17 per hour, on reserve. An
AA international purser at the top of the Pascale and with added job
descriptions earns about $ 51 per hour. Three times more than the other
member of the working family. It is hilarious to hear all these groups whine
while earning two to three times more.
We will all eventually lose everything we worked so hard to build for our
children and older parents.Being a part of the sandwich generation we now
have to work longer hours at lower wages and hence not be able to provide
the best for our elders and our children.
Where is the love for a middle age woman or man being thrown out in the
autumn/winter of their career?
Hypocrisy reigns large.
Recent hotlines from the union warn their members to alert them if their
insurance benefits are even so much as dented. Luckily TWA flight attendants
do not require insurance for themselves and their families.
Another example that tugged at my heartstrings was considering to bring us
back so that if their is another furlough in case of a merger/acquisition
then we, TWA folks, would be thrown out first and hence act as a cushion.
Pilots get unlimited recall rights. We are limited at five years. I assumed
all unions are one big family looking out for each other. I shouldn't hold
my breath. They can flow back. We TWA flight attendants flow away in the
currents of hypocrisy.
Recently we get to enjoy information about everybody trying to grab even
more for themselves while approximately 5000 lives/livelihood are destroyed.
So I request that not one solitary union member, of any work group, receive
even a penny in raises or any other benefits until we can rightfully claim
what we too have worked for and earned.So next time they sit at the table
and ask for more, ask them about us.
After all TWA did bring along many valuable assets along to AMR, human and
otherwise. Fact.
Five years will come and go, we will be legally out but karma will
eventually decide whether these people climbed higher by hard work or
climbing on our backs.
Disgusted with union hypocrisy.
Sincerely,
Ratan Behram Bhappu
Employee number 625259
Proud TWA flight attendant.



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[twaokc]

Ratan Behram Bhappu
Employee number 625259
Proud TWA flight attendant.
______________________________________________________________________
_____________

It is a shame what AA and the APFA has done to the TWA F/A's. Arpey could change it if he had any BALLS, but I do not believe that he does.
Hang in there TWA F/A's, you were and still are the best.
You have even been treated worse the the TWA Inc. retirees and that has been bad. I feel for you, with the exception of one whose husband mouths off too much.

 

[jersey777]

Ratan Behram Bhappu
Employee number 625259
Proud TWA flight attendant.
______________________________________________________________________
_____________

It is a shame what AA and the APFA has done to the TWA F/A's. Arpey could change it if he had any BALLS, but I do not believe that he does.
Hang in there TWA F/A's, you were and still are the best.
You have even been treated worse the the TWA Inc. retirees and that has been bad. I feel for you, with the exception of one whose husband mouths off too much.

I can understand your grief but your anger should be directed at the company and not the APFA. The company can waive the 5 year recall at any time but they won't. This letter could have been written by a junior flight attendant that was a company transfer and that had worked for American for 20 years. This letter could also have been written by a flight attendant that worked for TWA but quit and came over to American in the 90's because they saw that TWA was a struggling carrier. This letter could have been written by an previous AA flight attendant who was furloughed because they got bumped by a TWA flight attendant had they gotten credit for their seniority. I know because I fly with these people all the time and it was very much part of the debate when the seniority issue was being decided. If the TWA flight attendants had gotten all or some of their seniority then it would have been unfair to lots of other flight attendants. I strongly believe that recall rights should be extended because I do feel bad for employees that will lose their jobs. I think it is a moral issue for the American. You just watch...within days of the TWA flight attendants losing their recall rights you are going to see American start new hire flight attendants.

 

[Oneflyer]

I can understand your grief but your anger should be directed at the company and not the APFA. The company can waive the 5 year recall at any time but they won't. This letter could have been written by a junior flight attendant that was a company transfer and that had worked for American for 20 years. This letter could also have been written by a flight attendant that worked for TWA but quit and came over to American in the 90's because they saw that TWA was a struggling carrier. This letter could have been written by an previous AA flight attendant who was furloughed because they got bumped by a TWA flight attendant had they gotten credit for their seniority. I know because I fly with these people all the time and it was very much part of the debate when the seniority issue was being decided. If the TWA flight attendants had gotten all or some of their seniority then it would have been unfair to lots of other flight attendants. I strongly believe that recall rights should be extended because I do feel bad for employees that will lose their jobs. I think it is a moral issue for the American. You just watch...within days of the TWA flight attendants losing their recall rights you are going to see American start new hire flight attendants.

When did AMR go from being a company to a Welfare state?

 

[aafsc]

Ratan Behram Bhappu
Employee number 625259
Proud TWA flight attendant.
______________________________________________________________________
_____________

It is a shame what AA and the APFA has done to the TWA F/A's. Arpey could change it if he had any BALLS, but I do not believe that he does.
Hang in there TWA F/A's, you were and still are the best.
You have even been treated worse the the TWA Inc. retirees and that has been bad. I feel for you, with the exception of one whose husband mouths off too much.

You are one bitter person. Did you decline the AA insurance and passes this year? My father is an ex-eastern employee who lost it ALL after about 25 years of service and he would be more than happy to pay $220 a month for health insurance for himself and my mother who are both over 60. Your constant b1tching is a slap in the face to people like my father and hundreds of thousands of other airline employees who lost it all after working for decades at their own airline companies. AA gave you this even though you never worked for one second at AA. I wish AA would never have done the twa transaction that way you would have received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; just like all the other airline employees.

 

[Garfield1966]

I really do not understand why people are so surprised. People are involved. They are typically the same world wide. People want what is good for them and theirs. If that want happens to coincide with the needs or wants of someone else, fine. People are very reluctant to give up what is theirs to benefit someone else. Yes, they will probably talk the talk but I seriously doubt they will put it on the line when the times comes. The same people who said to staple TWA to the bottom will be the first ones who b1tch and moan when AA goes toes up and is 'bought out' by SWA and they get stapled to the bottom. What goes around comes around. In crew skd, the TWA folks got DOH seniority. There was a lot of complaining. I was always on the fence about it. I saw both sides. I think a compromise could have been made but it was not and life goes on. I hope when the day comes I am treated as fairly.

Bottom line is :WAKE UP!! People want what is good for them. When we were asked if we wanted to work harder (let go of people) for the same wage or reduce our wages (prevent people from loosing their job) most here voted to work harder. I did not because I did not want to be the one responsible for good people getting tossed out on their a$$. Do onto other as you would have them do on to you.

 

[twaokc]

YOU JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND BOY, TWA AND AA MERGED. TWA DID NOT GO THE ROUTE OF EASTERN, SO YOUR THINKING IS DOWN THE DRAIN. YES, I AM BITTER BECAUSE OF CARTY AND COMPTONS LIES.

You are one bitter person. Did you decline the AA insurance and passes this year? My father is an ex-eastern employee who lost it ALL after about 25 years of service and he would be more than happy to pay $220 a month for health insurance for himself and my mother who are both over 60. Your constant b1tching is a slap in the face to people like my father and hundreds of thousands of other airline employees who lost it all after working for decades at their own airline companies. AA gave you this even though you never worked for one second at AA. I wish AA would never have done the twa transaction that way you would have received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; just like all the other airline employees.

 

[aafsc]

YOU JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND BOY, TWA AND AA MERGED. TWA DID NOT GO THE ROUTE OF EASTERN, SO YOUR THINKING IS DOWN THE DRAIN. YES, I AM BITTER BECAUSE OF CARTY AND COMPTONS LIES.

NO, OLD MAN, THEY DID NOT MERGE, twa DID INDEED LIQUIDATE; COMPTON EVEN SAID AS MUCH WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THE ASSET PURCHASE TO THE twa EMPLOYEES. SO twa DID IN FACT GO THE ROUTE OF EASTERN IN THAT IT LIQUIDATED. twa INC. TOOK THE CASH IT RECEIVED FROM AA AND DISBURSED IT TO IT'S CREDITORS. IF IT HAD BEEN A MERGER THEN THE twa STOCKHOLDERS WOULD HAVE RECEIVED SOMETHING FROM AA, ALL THE CREDITORS WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL, AA WOULD HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED TO PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS AIRCRAFT LEASES twa PAID, AA WOULD HAVE TO HAVE HONORED ICHAN'S KARABU TICKET AGREEMENT, AND twa EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE KEPT THEIR SENIORITY PROTECTIONS INTACT. THE FACT IS AA ACQUIRED THE twa ASSETS IT WANTED FOR CASH AND THE ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES-ONE OF WHICH IS THE HEALTH INSURANCE YOU NOW RECEIVE FROM AA. SO DID YOU TELL AA TO CANCEL YOUR INSURANCE AND PASSES YET?

 

[Bear96]

YOU JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND BOY, TWA AND AA MERGED. TWA DID NOT GO THE ROUTE OF EASTERN, . . .

I don't particularly agree with how AA F/As handled the integration, but TW went EXACTLY the route of Eastern. Dead. Pining in the fjords, etc. etc.

You are deluding yourself to think otherwise.

 

[nbmcg01]

You are one bitter person. Did you decline the AA insurance and passes this year? My father is an ex-eastern employee who lost it ALL after about 25 years of service and he would be more than happy to pay $220 a month for health insurance for himself and my mother who are both over 60. Your constant b1tching is a slap in the face to people like my father and hundreds of thousands of other airline employees who lost it all after working for decades at their own airline companies. AA gave you this even though you never worked for one second at AA. I wish AA would never have done the twa transaction that way you would have received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; just like all the other airline employees.

AA has claimed that the reduction in force was 9-11 related. They gladly took Federal funds to offset 9-11 losses including the additional funds secured because of TWA. Whether AA shoulda , woulda, coulda comes down to the fact that they did acquire the assets of TWA and to quote Don Carty, "the most important asset, the employees". There is an issue of business integrity that cannot be over looked. As for employees moving into Flight Service from other AA depts., NEVER in the history of labor agreements has seniority credit been given for someone out of the craft and class. I was Pam Am and certainly didn't expect to bring my seniority when I chose to go with TWA (after a PanAM furlough). Changing airlines is a CHOICE, no matter the reason. The employees of TWA only had two choices, be absorbed or quit. AA mangt. has now been quoted as saying, "they won't fit into our corporate culture". I certainly hope not...lol. That being said, it sure is ok for our former experienced f/as to be hired by Eagle @ $17 an hour. AA was masterful in their plan to "give" the former TWA f/as pay seniority and use it against them until recall expires. The APFA has done forgotten its fiduciary responsibility to PROTECT jobs, This is the primary function of a union. And finally, how appalling that $600,000,000 in "shared sacrifice" (shared by the furloughed AA f/as) is completely overlooked and "forgotten" by both management and the union. This is a matter of being bitter, it is just fact. I'm lucky, I have a rewarding career in social services which is ALL about choice. I would have liked having that same option with my 35year f/a career. As the Founder and President of TWA We Care, a 501C3 financial resource project, I have seen first hand the devastation of not being able to secure health insurance, loss of maximum earning potential just when children are going to college, starting over (even with multiple degrees) in your 50s with the prevalent age discrimination, and the knowledge that decades of work were not even acknowledged by severance pay thanks to John Ward. This isn't about seniority, its about dignity and the AA family may never know a good many fine people and even better employees. Should AA be arrogant enough to start hiring in July '08, I predict there will be lawsuits and I will predict that this time the f/as will win.

 

[Bear96]

AA mangt. has now been quoted as saying, "they won't fit into our corporate culture".

Cite please?

 

[aafsc]

nbmcq01, you stated that you have seen first hand the results of not having insurance; that is my point about twaokc. He retired from twa before the asset purchase and AA is honoring it's obligation and providing him and all the other twa inc. retirees with health insurance even though he (and they) never worked at AA. I find it appalling that he constantly complains about having to pay $220 a month for him and his wife while retirees at UA,US,etc. pay a lot more and the retirees from Pan Am and EAL get nothing after working there for decades. The twa inc. retirees were extremely fortunate that AA did the twa transaction.

 

[twaokc]

Two great airlines, one great future.

Biggest damn lie I ever heard, and yes, I am proud that I never worked a day for AA, with people like you. You do not understand or will ever know what it is like to work with a family.

nbmcq01, you stated that you have seen first hand the results of not having insurance; that is my point about twaokc. He retired from twa before the asset purchase and AA is honoring it's obligation and providing him and all the other twa inc. retirees with health insurance even though he (and they) never worked at AA. I find it appalling that he constantly complains about having to pay $220 a month for him and his wife while retirees at UA,US,etc. pay a lot more and the retirees from Pan Am and EAL get nothing after working there for decades. The twa inc. retirees were extremely fortunate that AA did the twa transaction.

 

[nbmcg01]

Cite please?

Flight service senior management to APFA

Former Vice President in town mtgs

 

[twaokc]

Nancy,
It does no good trying to explain anything to this bunch.
Carl

Flight service senior management to APFA

Former Vice President in town mtgs