IAM Fleet Service topic

[Jester]

Fleet is not subject to random testing under the law, its pilots, fas, mechanics, dispatchers, not ramp.

When did we not become a "safety sensitive" position? Not sure the FAA or the traveling community would agree that pushing-out a $40 million aircraft loaded with Jet-A fuel and carrying 100 PAX while lit-up on Mary Jane would serve the public interest. Or for that matter, a TL who cannot count bags for proper WB because the lead lost count on the number of vodka shooters before work.

So Ponders Jester.

 

[freedom]

When did we not become a "safety sensitive" position? Not sure the FAA or the traveling community would agree that pushing-out a $40 million aircraft loaded with Jet-A fuel and carrying 100 PAX while lit-up on Mary Jane would serve the public interest. Or for that matter, a TL who cannot count bags for proper WB because the lead lost count on the number of vodka shooters before work.

So Ponders Jester.

The correct term in Arizona is Medicine ....

 

[blue collar]

When did we not become a "safety sensitive" position? Not sure the FAA or the traveling community would agree that pushing-out a $40 million aircraft loaded with Jet-A fuel and carrying 100 PAX while lit-up on Mary Jane would serve the public interest. Or for that matter, a TL who cannot count bags for proper WB because the lead lost count on the number of vodka shooters before work.

So Ponders Jester.

The FAA doesn't consider rampers as safety sensitive, the people that are to be tested are listed in 14 CFR 120.105 and 120.215. I would assume stores people fall under DOT rules rather than FARs.

 

[Jester]

Drug testing for Fleet is only post accident or suspicion, otherwise its a violation of company policy, fleet is not safety sensitive under the FAA.

Pilots, Flight Attendants, Dispatchers, Mechanics, Stock Clerk Drivers (Class B CDL) are the only ones subject to random under the law.

Now I have examined some of the language as to "dispatcher" as to being the title of the occupation versus an activitiy which is part of the job. For example, we all know their occupation of being a "dispatcher". However, one could "dispatch" an aircraft as being a team load, or even for that matter, a FSA pushing out the aircraft. As I am reading the language of the regulations, it is not the title of the employee, but rather the activities of the employee which determines "safety sensitive" positions under the FAA and DOT. Therefore, I am not surprised that TLs are being subject to random drug testing, while probably why non-TLs have not been tested, as an overwhelming amount of time for the later group is moving bags, loading cargo, dumping lavs, etc. which are not "safety sensitive" positions.

So Reviews Jester.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Jester, an aircraft dispatcher's job in no way resembles a team lead or Fleet Service Agent.

 

[700UW]

A dispatcher is one who makes the flight plans for the pilots. They work at OCC, not someone pushing an airplane with a Tug.

Leads in Fleet are NOT subject to random testing, go read US Airways' drug testing program with the FAA.

 

[blue collar]

And again, the FAA disagrees. A dispatcher is a licensed person under part 65- airmen other than flight crew, which a lead fsa is not.

 

[700UW]

US has NEVER random drug tested, ramp, csa, or utility, they are not considered safety sensitive under the FARs, only post accident or suspicion and its in US Airways' Drug Testing Program Manual.

 

[Jester]

I think all three of you need a drug test or some comprehensive reading classes... Let's review what I said instead of inferring what I said or better yet, ignoring what I said:

"As I am reading the language of the regulations, it is not the title of the employee, but rather the activities of the employee which determines 'safety sensitive' positions under the FAA and DOT."

You all are hung-up on titles instead of actions of the employees in question, which is understandable as you have your noses stuck in the CBA while ignoring the superceding Federal laws and Federal administrative guidelines. Neither the FAA or the DOT care about your blessed scope, trades, or titles, but rather the actions of the employees as part of their job.

Furthermore, let us review the meaning to "dispatch" as to be defined, in part, as "to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc." (maybe an aircraft?) That does sound as if something a team lead does as a majority of their actual work. Now if you all have a legal definition as to "dispatch", I am more than willing to be entertained.

Just so you know, other airlines do random drug testing of leads, so it is not as if this is some new airline Management idea created by the Tempe boys.

So Chastises Jester.

 

[blue collar]

There's no fixing stupid. What you don't realize is a dispatcher has an FAA license. Like a mechanic, or a parachute rigger, etc. All of the licensing requirements are under 14 CFR 65. Since you dont possess a license from the FAA, you are NOT a dispatcher. It's pretty simple, really.

 

[Harry Callahan]

There's no fixing stupid. What you don't realize is a dispatcher has an FAA license. Like a mechanic, or a parachute rigger, etc. All of the licensing requirements are under 14 CFR 65. Since you dont possess a license from the FAA, you are NOT a dispatcher. It's pretty simple, really.

Agreed, Jester will NEVER get it 🙄

 

[roabilly]

Agreed, Jester will NEVER get it 🙄

Actually... I have to dispute that statement ... Jester "GETS IT" all the time on here... I just ain't sayin' "where" he gets it!

GO... SEAL TEAM SIX... JOB WELL DONE!

 

[bagchucker]

"Furthermore, let us review the meaning to "dispatch" as to be defined, in part, as "to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc." (maybe an aircraft?) That does sound as if something a team lead does as a majority of their actual work. Now if you all have a legal definition as to "dispatch", I am more than willing to be entertained."

Yes, your definition of "dispatch" is correct. In terms of job title for our company and most others in the airline world, it simply refers to the person in OCC who shares responsibility of the safe movement of the aircraft from point A to B. That person is the one who bases all the #s on figures necessary for the proposed flight. Weights, temps, winds, loads, storm activity, etc.

 

[Jester]

There's no fixing stupid. What you don't realize is a dispatcher has an FAA license. Like a mechanic, or a parachute rigger, etc. All of the licensing requirements are under 14 CFR 65. Since you dont possess a license from the FAA, you are NOT a dispatcher. It's pretty simple, really.

Great... let's go waste membership dues to protect people who are drunk or stoned, and lose in the ruling in the process. That's something for which the IAM has been very adept in losing arbitration hearings and burning cash. When you are all spanked about the meaning of "dispatched" as it does not necessarily mean solely the purlieu of the titled "dispatcher", then you can apologize later.

In the meanwhile, let us pretend to have some high professional standards and genuine concern for public safety while preventing random drug testing which would identify people who endanger passengers in the process. And in a pre-emptive request, please spare me the "those-employees-have-a-substance-abuse-problem-and-shouldn't-be-fired-but-treated" bromide, as it won't bring back those who are killed by their chemically impaired neglience for whom you have defended.

So Castigates Jester.

 

[700UW]

Once again you have no idea of what you speak about, call your local FSDO, go read US' drug testing policy/agreement with the FAA, Fleet Service are NOT subject to random testing.

Why is it so hard for you to accept the facts, the truth and reality?