Jimmy Rae takes the final flight

[The Dissident]

I guess this means that AJ Blackman wins whatever argument they had going for so long.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.asp...amp;archive=yes

 

[Bob Owens]

I guess this means that AJ Blackman wins whatever argument they had going for so long.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.asp...amp;archive=yes

Arguement? Maybe there was a "contest" but only in the minds of others. Al's still working because he loves it, not because of any contest and certainly not because of any arguement.

Condolences to the Rae family.

 

[Hopeful]

Gotta love the spin doctors....."PROMOTED" to lead mechanic? With all due respect, seniority prevails with a so called probationary period when it comes to the lead mechanic or crew chief position.

 

[Bob Owens]

Gotta love the spin doctors....."PROMOTED" to lead mechanic? With all due respect, seniority prevails with a so called probationary period when it comes to the lead mechanic or crew chief position.

No spin.
Promote-to advance in rank, dignity, position,
He was promoted due to seniority.

 

[The Dissident]

Arguement? Maybe there was a "contest" but only in the minds of others. Al's still working because he loves it, not because of any contest and certainly not because of any arguement.

Condolences to the Rae family.

I heard form a reputable source a long time ago that Jimmy and AJ had a falliing out and that Jimmy always wanted to be the number one man on the seniority list. And AJ was never going to let that happen as long as he drew breath. Like I said AJ won.

 

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

You got to admit this is a good retirement job.

 

[heckle and jyde]

Gotta love the spin doctors....."PROMOTED" to lead mechanic? With all due respect, seniority prevails with a so called probationary period when it comes to the lead mechanic or crew chief position.

I Believe that when he started there was no union at American at the time. Not sure but could this have been why he was promoted and not bid it by seniority. Not sure of the excact time of unionization though

 

[Bob Owens]

I Believe that when he started there was no union at American at the time. Not sure but could this have been why he was promoted and not bid it by seniority. Not sure of the excact time of unionization though

The had a mechanics union.

 

[Hopeful]

Yes it's a promotion.....But the senior most person gets it REGARDLESS of qualifications....Yes, there is a probation period,,,,,,,but should the senior most mechanic not pass probation,,,,,,The next senior most mechanic who bid for it gets it.

The senior most mechanic does not necessarily mean the best qualified.

Example......Mechanic A has 1970 seniority and has been rebuilding seats for 39 years..........Mechanic B has 1988 seniority working the line at ORD..
A Crew Chief slot opens up at ORD on the line and Mechanic A gets the bid over Mechanic B due to seniority........

Who is best qualified?

I respect seniority as much as the next guy......but is this really right?

 

[DallasConehead]

God Bless him, I don't know how he did it. Thoughts and prayers with the family.

 

[Hopeful]

God Bless him, I don't know how he did it. Thoughts and prayers with the family.

Nothing personal against Jimmy and I don't know anything about him.

Of course..May he rest in peace.

I was just referring to the crew chief bidding process although a promotion not necessarily a reward for best qualified.

 

[Bob Owens]

Yes it's a promotion.....But the senior most person gets it REGARDLESS of qualifications....Yes, there is a probation period,,,,,,,but should the senior most mechanic not pass probation,,,,,,The next senior most mechanic who bid for it gets it.

The senior most mechanic does not necessarily mean the best qualified.

Example......Mechanic A has 1970 seniority and has been rebuilding seats for 39 years..........Mechanic B has 1988 seniority working the line at ORD..
A Crew Chief slot opens up at ORD on the line and Mechanic A gets the bid over Mechanic B due to seniority........

Who is best qualified?

I respect seniority as much as the next guy......but is this really right?

Yes , it is. Just because management doesnt agressively utilize the vetting process that the contract provides (the six month probation) it doesnt mean that the system should be changed. Look at some of the people we've seen go into management, can you honestly say that the pool of management is superior to the pool of crew chiefs?

 

[Hopeful]

The local management team at JFK is horrible to say the least.
As for the crew chief issue....I would say the union would be the first to go to bat for the senior bidder when he fails probation....I understand that's the union's job....but the vetting process would be challenged because of the "need" to protect the senior most person.
Like management, some crew chiefs should not have the position as well.