It All Comes Out In The Wash!

[OldGuyinPA]

Gee ...

who is responsible for operations...


Al Crellin..Executive VP of operations...


I'm sure he'll find someone to pin the blame on.............

Always does...always has..............

 

[jimntx]

Well, the Inspector General must be back on the sauce. Who does he think he is disagreeing with A320 and U management? A320, acting in loco management (since they were nowhere to be found at the time) made it clear to everyone that the whole mess was the flight attendants' fault, and that's that.

 

[sfb]

US Airways Statement in Response to DOT Inspector General's Report
Wednesday March 2, 4:17 pm ET

ARLINGTON, Va., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Review of December 2004 Air Travel Disruptions issued today:

"The operational events over the Christmas holidays were unfortunate for our company, our employees, and most notably for the passengers that were affected. We have worked very hard since that time to improve our staffing situation and implement other changes that will enhance our operations, including a major February schedule change that is having a clear and beneficial impact. The Inspector General's staff had a challenging task in trying to chronicle a very complicated set of circumstances, and we trust that DOT officials recognize both our regret over the situation as well as the many initiatives we have taken to improve service to our customers."

Now contrast this with Comair's response:

Comair Taking Steps to Prevent Recurrence Of 2004 Holiday Travel Disruption

CINCINNATI, March 2, 2005 – Comair has issued the following statement to coincide with today’s release of the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General’s (DOTIG) report on flight disruptions during the 2004 holiday travel period.

Comair regrets the inconvenience to customers caused by a chain of events that stemmed from extremely severe winter weather during the holidays. Comair cooperated fully with the DOTIG investigation and has taken steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future as part of the airline's ongoing commitment to operational and customer service excellence. Comair is grateful to the Department for recognizing the exceptional efforts of Comair employees to assist customers during an extremely challenging situation.

Note that Comair does indeed regret the inconvenience (though I am sure many found it more than "inconvenient") to its customers and, moreover, mentions the company's employees and their "exceptional efforts."

 

[SKY HIGH]

Now contrast this with Comair's response:
Note that Comair does indeed regret the inconvenience...


Sky high states: speaking of inconvenience...........when is the FORCED OVERTIME going to end? How many people does the company have on furlough? :down:

 

[AP Tech]

Hawk, Mr Chiames........what is your take on the report? You both were quick to point the finger at the various employee groups after the Christmas fiasco. If you speak to Mr Lakefield tomorrow please let him know an apology would not hurt!! 😛

Or just give us you take on why the government's report is flawed!!!! :down:

 

[Finish or Ignore]

Part of being a leader instead of a manager is the ability and the humility to admit you made a mistake. Personally I find the silence from the Operations side of the fence deafening. Their are plenty of things to blame the unions for over the years at US Airways. THIS incident is not among them however.

I find it most disturbing that up 'til now US has blown the opportunity to mend a fence with the labor groups and start the oft delayed, sorely needed cultural change required for US Airways to survive.

[post="252263"][/post]​

Its not too late. Crellin and Paladini can leave now. That would be a start.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Severe staffing shortages in Philadelphia and an inadequate response by US Airways management were to blame for a holiday travel fiasco that afflicted 560,000 passengers, a government report released yesterday concluded.

US Airways blamed in travel debacle

Jim

 

[USAirUnited]

Reuters
Government Audit Critical of U.S. Airways
Wednesday March 2, 6:00 pm ET
By John Crawley


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bankrupt US Airways Group Inc. (OTC BB:UAIRQ.OB - News) had anticipated sudden staffing shortfalls at the height of the December holiday period but failed to act effectively to prevent massive travel disruptions, a government audit found on Wednesday.

Newswire


Now they must accpet blame for their actions, its not the workers pointing fingers this time, its the goverment. I hope this spawns a class action lawsuit.

 

[Dea Certe]

I doubt USAirways could survive a class action law suit. What would the plaintives be awarded? A trip to the Undeliverable Bags warehouse to make a selection?

Unfortunately, what most people will remember is Chris Chiames on every channel stating it was the employees fault.

Dea

 

[cltflyguy]

"The inspector general also found that, contrary to company arguments, flight attendant sick calls were no higher than the corresponding holiday period a year earlier, in December 2003."

Sooooo wouldn't it make them wonder what else the company has lied about????

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

Unfortunately, what most people will remember is Chris Chiames on every channel stating it was the employees fault.

[post="252327"][/post]​

Dea it was the employees fault. The company wasn't properly staffed so employees were not there to do the work so that makes it their fault. It is all crystal clear now. Finally it is explained.

 

[BoeingBoy]

From a CLT Observer article:

In the immediate aftermath of the meltdown, US Airways CEO Bruce Lakefield said the problems were caused by "record numbers" of sick calls from flight attendants and ground crew, particularly at the airline's Philadelphia hub.

He characterized the calls as an "irresponsible and indefensible" protest.

"Maybe next time they won't be so quick to blame it on the employees," said Mike Flores, a Charlotte-based leader of the flight attendants union.

But US Airways said it stood by Lakefield's remarks. Castelveter said a large number of people had called in sick in both 2003 and 2004. He declined to comment on why problems did not occur in 2003.

Article (free subscription)

Jim

 

[Winglet]

It really doesn't matter. The IG report doesn't impact squat. Lakefield doesn't give a hoot and neither does the travelling public as long as it's not them that's affected.

The travelling public cares ONLY about the lowest ticket price and Lakefield and the airline managers are going to make YOU subsidize those low ticket prices.

 

[jimntx]

It really doesn't matter. The IG report doesn't impact squat. Lakefield doesn't give a hoot and neither does the travelling public as long as it's not them that's affected.

The travelling public cares ONLY about the lowest ticket price and Lakefield and the airline managers are going to make YOU subsidize those low ticket prices.

[post="252375"][/post]​

Winglet, I'm afraid that you have gone straight to the heart of the matter. The public cares about the egregiously unfair blaming of the employees for the Christmas disaster about as much as they care about the forced, unpaid overtime or the dead peasant policies at Wal-Mart.

As long as it is not happening to me, I can always say, "Well, if you don't like it, why don't you quit? No one is making you work there, you know." Now, if it's happening to me, then Congress needs to pass a law or something. 😛

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

CNBC just reported the study, much needed airtime for USAirways.

You are right the public probably don't care but employees that were publicly blamed sure might care the truth came out and they were vindicated.