HELP SAVE A COMPANY

[PhxMama]

This post was alomost a verbatim regurgitation of a presentation I made to US Airways Senior Management on 12/19/03 in CCY. Some of it they listened to, some they didn't.

I will say to their credit that some of the old gang did go out and work the front line. I have direct personal knowledges of B Ben Baldanza manning a kiosk in Logan for 6 hours. He wanted to see the customer experience first hand. Barry Biffle was another who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. Andy Nocella who is at the NEW US is another guy who will wade into the foray. Chris Chiames of all people was slinging bags during the Meltdown.

The folks in Tempe get it better than most frankly but as with all companies you have the prima donnas who think they are superior to all other life forms.

Bob, Thanks for all you FFOCUS folks. You have a voice that many of us long to have. I would love for you to give that talk to the Tempe group and be in attendance to hear it myself. I dont know if they get it myself but would love to see uppermanagement be required to work 1 day a month in rez, the ato or the ramp. I mean work. If they would walk among the people, anonymously, or better yet send their wives or partners, they might get a better understanding of their employees, the airline and just might be able to respect what other employees do for so little compensation. Couldnt ya see their wives having to communicate with US outsourced agents trying to get seat assignments? LOL Once again, you are my HERO!

 

[LostandConfused]

Thank you for the kind words but alas I am no ones hero or shouldn't be at least. I'm just a guy who saw some things he didn't like way back in the late '80's and promised to himself that if he saw it again he would speak out. LOUDLY! Now is such a time.

Its always the Hero who says he's not the Hero! You have shown that you give voice to the voiceless and will not back down from the good fight! I still think you ARE a Hero!

 

[finman]

Thank you for the kind words but alas I am no ones hero or shouldn't be at least. I'm just a guy who saw some things he didn't like way back in the late '80's and promised to himself that if he saw it again he would speak out. LOUDLY! Now is such a time.

Why did you guys change your name from the "Cockroaches"? That has a much better ring to it.

I think you're organization is, (although somewhat self-serving on its surface), a very good resource for airline management and can offer some very helpful insight. I don't think there's an NWA frequent flyer organization such as FFOCUS, but I could be wrong.

Just curious, what in the late 80's did you see that disturbed you so much?

 

[Kev3188]

Why did you guys change your name from the "Cockroaches"? That has a much better ring to it.

I agree; I always wanted one of those pins as well!

Finman--

Quick question; since you're in finance (I assume), what is/was your opinion of Bernie Han?

 

[finman]

I never had any direct contact with him, but all that I heard was very positive.

He was able to pull some strings and secure some financing on Sep.12 2001 that put us in a very favorable cash position compared to some of the other airlines. It's arguable that that cash actually hurt us in the long run, since it delayed a lot of the inevitable changes that needed to occur, but I guess that's neither here nor there.

Sorry I don't have any real good insight into his character or anything of that nature, but his deprarture was seen as a real blow to the upper mgmt that I do have contact with, which I guess is a testament to his value.

I have to correct myself. I was thinking of Mickey Foret. I don't have any insight on Bernie Han. It's a revolving door around here with executives, so it's hard to keep track. I'm a long way down the ladder from those guys, so It's hard to form much of an impression.

 

[Kev3188]

I never had any direct contact with him, but all that I heard was very positive.

He was able to pull some strings and secure some financing on Sep.12 2001 that put us in a very favorable cash position compared to some of the other airlines. It's arguable that that cash actually hurt us in the long run, since it delayed a lot of the inevitable changes that needed to occur, but I guess that's neither here nor there.

Sorry I don't have any real good insight into his character or anything of that nature, but his deprarture was seen as a real blow to the upper mgmt that I do have contact with, which I guess is a testament to his value.

Thanks for the response. I also saw it as a real blow when he left, and was just curious to see how someone "on the inside" (finance-wise) saw it. Regardless of the hand of cards he was being dealt, he always seemed to me to have a way of coming out (relatively)ahead. In fact, if I had to amend my top 10 list of suggestions earlier up the thread, #11 would be to find a way to bring him back on board.

 

[local 12 proud]

I just happen to honestly believe that ultimately what's good for the customer and front line worker is good for the company and it's shareholders.

Piney It seems your in good company!

We embarked on consciously building Virgin into a brand which stood for quality, value, fun and a sense of challenge. We also developed these ideas in the belief that our first priority should be the people who work for the companies, then the customers, then the shareholders. Because if the staff are motivated then the customers will be happy, and the shareholders will then benefit through the company's success.
Richard Branson

 

[finman]

I grew up in Bucks County, PA which is between PHL & ABE. I was selling for Xerox at the time (86-92) and it was during that time I witnessed the destruction of the steel industry, Large trucks, most of the shoe and garment indusrty in PA go POOF.

I've been "Downsized", the last time was in a hotel conference room while holding a plaque I'd won for "Outstanding Performance" It was outstanding allright. Out Standing in the unemployment line the following Monday Morning.

Well Bob, we may not agree entirely on the how the current situation at NWA should be handled, but I admire your passion for the causes you undertake, and I respect the ideals which you strive for. Naturally, since I am directly impacted by the fate of NWA, I am more inclined to take a more pro-NWA stance, but that is simple human nature.

I wish NWA had a frequent flyer organization that took as much of a proactive outspoken position as FFOCUS does for US Airways. I don't know if it would make any difference in the long run, but simply having an independent voice (independent of management and unions, anyway) that truly spoke out for the betterment of the company's future prosperity would be a refreshing perspective.

 

[robbedagain]

I am sure that if NWA had treated their passengers and employees better, there would be a FFOCUS or similar. but that cant happen as long as NWA mgmt is going to be far worse than USAIR was during both of its bankruptcy cases.

 

[PhxMama]

Robbed, i dont know about that. PineyBob is just 1 in a million. Not many companies regardless of industry have a group like FFOCUS They support employees and try to better the company. Its almost like a free service instead of paying for secret shoppers. They do it in the long term and with more intelligence. Coming from the HP side of the US/HP merger. They are the best part of merging!

 

[local 12 proud]

I am sure that if NWA had treated their passengers and employees better, there would be a FFOCUS or similar. but that cant happen as long as NWA mgmt is going to be far worse than USAIR was during both of its bankruptcy cases.

NWA Management could'nt pour piss out of a boot if the directions were written on the bottom!

 

[robbedagain]

😀 😀 🙂

 

[local 12 proud]

Yep and they seem to have perfected that well enough!

 

[CSAR GYRENE]

Well Bob, we may not agree entirely on the how the current situation at NWA should be handled, but I admire your passion for the causes you undertake, and I respect the ideals which you strive for. Naturally, since I am directly impacted by the fate of NWA, I am more inclined to take a more pro-NWA stance, but that is simple human nature.

I wish NWA had a frequent flyer organization that took as much of a proactive outspoken position as FFOCUS does for US Airways. I don't know if it would make any difference in the long run, but simply having an independent voice (independent of management and unions, anyway) that truly spoke out for the betterment of the company's future prosperity would be a refreshing perspective.

<SALUTE>