T
Mo cuts a' comin
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eolesen
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Local management is already talking about additional cuts in flights and manpower here.
Supposedly the "It's working in STL" idea has caught the eye of management and now they're fantasizing that a three man gate crew will UCLA on the gates.Good luck with that.
What are they going to cut next? The few flights we have at LGA that don't go to MIA, DFW or ORD?
You can thank the FAA for possible flight cuts at LGA (and JFK and EWR). They're planning on taking approx 10% of each airline's slots back, and auctioning them off to the highest new entrant bidder.
WN just bought TZ's seven dormant slots (presumably for MDW-LGA), and I'd be shocked if they weren't the bidder with the deepest pockets.
Bob, there's your long awaited chance to go work for WN wages...
Eric,
Slots should have always been subject to the highest bidder: unless, you're just another opportunist posing as a capitalist until you need a bailout.
Given the small number of slot controlled airports in the US, those should be held by the airlines that are willing to buy them for the market price rather than being granted the authority to fly them in the public interest for nothing but thereafter treating them as corporate assetts; but, it seems that in this case you don't buy the market theory. Interesting.
The National Air Space is owned by the US Taxpayer: that is why those of you that claim the airline industry is deregulated are wrong. It remains the most highly regulated Utility with the least protections for those who perform the work. The ADA of 1978 only deregulated the wages of hourly workers through the non-funding of the worker retraining act, Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code and continuation of the RLA into the airline industry.
Forcing US Air Carriers to bid in an open market for the right to fly slots between the few airports thus controlled will begin to bring back to the US Taxpayer what has long been the practice in the "radio" spectrum.
Further, nothing in the slot auction process requires that an approved air carrier purchase the slots. Given the rules as I understand them, a private equity bank could purchase them and subject the rights to periodic bidding. Bon-Appetit.
A
American Air Surf
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Well, if AA cuts (atleast) 6% dom/int. in 2009
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D94QS16G0.htm
My guess is that equates to (atleast) 5,000 jobs + , anybody care to weigh in here?
My feeling is we will be in this recession for sometime, and will likely be worse in 2009
jimntx
Veteran
It has an even bigger effect on those, such as flight attendants, who are limited to either domestic or international operations--don't know if that applies to mechanics or not.
This is an oversimplification, but you'll get the idea.
1. You have 100 domestic flights/day. Each domestic a/c carries 140 passengers. You have 14,000 domestic available seat/miles/day.
2. You have 50 International flights/day. Each International a/c carries 200 passengers. You have 10,000 available International seat/miles/day.
3. Total available seat/miles/day: 24,000, and you want to reduce overall capacity 6%, or 1440. So, your target capacity is 22,560 available seat/miles/day.
However, you have also announced that you are adding 5 international flights/day to your schedule. That is an increase of 1000 available seat/miles/day. So to achieve your target of 22,560 available seat/miles/day, you now have to cut domestic capacity by 2440. 2440/140 is 18 domestic flights/day approx. (It's actually 17.43.)
So, when you reach the 22,560 number, you have achieved a 6% capacity reduction from last year. However, you have increased international flying by 10%. Domestic flying has to be cut
17.43% from a capacity standpoint and 18% from a flights/day standpoint to achieve that 6% reduction in overall capacity.
Even though domestic has many more available seat miles than International, the point is that the impact of a 6% overall reduction will have a much greater impact on domestic operations if you are increasing International flying at the same time (which we are doing).
With reserve f/as sitting around being paid guarantee (75 hours) to not fly as it is, how can there not be a reduction (aka, furlough) if we cut domestic capacity further. Here in SLT in addition to 53 people on reserve this month we also have something like 57 people on availability (aka, glorified reserve). That is an increase of 15 people in the rsv/avbl pool over November when we had a grand increase in bid positions of 3 from Nov. to Dec.
I hear, can't confirm, that the reserve situation is similar in other bases. F/As who need to fly high time are hurting because there is nothing available on MU, and HIBOARD has just lost all contact with reality. Someone puts in a 7.30 hour turn with this message..."Need higher time. No sign-in before 1000, must be back by 1900. No #1."
As the old song says, "Somethin's gotta give."
This is an oversimplification, but you'll get the idea.
1. You have 100 domestic flights/day. Each domestic a/c carries 140 passengers. You have 14,000 domestic available seat/miles/day.
2. You have 50 International flights/day. Each International a/c carries 200 passengers. You have 10,000 available International seat/miles/day.
3. Total available seat/miles/day: 24,000, and you want to reduce overall capacity 6%, or 1440. So, your target capacity is 22,560 available seat/miles/day.
However, you have also announced that you are adding 5 international flights/day to your schedule. That is an increase of 1000 available seat/miles/day. So to achieve your target of 22,560 available seat/miles/day, you now have to cut domestic capacity by 2440. 2440/140 is 18 domestic flights/day approx. (It's actually 17.43.)
So, when you reach the 22,560 number, you have achieved a 6% capacity reduction from last year. However, you have increased international flying by 10%. Domestic flying has to be cut
17.43% from a capacity standpoint and 18% from a flights/day standpoint to achieve that 6% reduction in overall capacity.
Even though domestic has many more available seat miles than International, the point is that the impact of a 6% overall reduction will have a much greater impact on domestic operations if you are increasing International flying at the same time (which we are doing).
With reserve f/as sitting around being paid guarantee (75 hours) to not fly as it is, how can there not be a reduction (aka, furlough) if we cut domestic capacity further. Here in SLT in addition to 53 people on reserve this month we also have something like 57 people on availability (aka, glorified reserve). That is an increase of 15 people in the rsv/avbl pool over November when we had a grand increase in bid positions of 3 from Nov. to Dec.
I hear, can't confirm, that the reserve situation is similar in other bases. F/As who need to fly high time are hurting because there is nothing available on MU, and HIBOARD has just lost all contact with reality. Someone puts in a 7.30 hour turn with this message..."Need higher time. No sign-in before 1000, must be back by 1900. No #1."
As the old song says, "Somethin's gotta give."
WingNaPrayer
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Overheard a couple of agents chatting last night at a gate in D Concourse that more warn letters went out in MIA with seniority dates as deep as 1997. I don't know what the seniority make-up is in MIA, does anyone know - does this represent a lot of people going back to 97, or just a few?
Runwaysticker
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What is the status of the new terminal construction? Why would they be reducing agents at MIA ? I here they are 8 AMT openings at MIA that may be filled by some of the MCI rif's, if anyone puts that as a option, any knowledge from the MIA guys ?????????????????
jimntx
Veteran
With MIA getting about 90% of the increases in flying (at least it seems that way) and all of it in International, I agree...why would they be laying off agents in MIA? This is either a false rumor, or eolesen is right, and they are closing FLL again. As I understand it, the agents at FLL are senior enough to bump almost anyone in MIA. Of course, since they are not union, the company is not required to let them bump.
WingNaPrayer
Veteran
December 17, 2008 - USA Today
AA reopens 'Flagship Lounge' at Miami
The Miami Herald writes "American Airlines said Tuesday that it has re-opened its Flagship Lounge at Miami International Airport, which caters to first-class passengers traveling through the airport on select transcontinental or international flights." The South Florida Sun-Sentinel adds "the lounge, which offers food, showers and computer services, originally opened in January 2000, but closed in March 2002 as part of cost-cutting efforts."
"Located in Concourse E on the departure level directly beyond the security checkpoint, the Miami Flagship Lounge spans approximately 3,600 square feet with seating for 62 guests," AA says in a press release. Among the options AA highlights in its press release: "Four spa-like shower facilities, complete with towels, shampoo, body gels and blow-dryers, are available for travelers wishing to freshen up before continuing on their journey."
But, it's not all good news for Miami. The South Florida Business Journal writes AA expects to lay off 97 additional employees at Miami as of Jan. 30. "American on Dec. 5 notified the state under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act," the publication writes. "At this time, we expect an employment loss of approximately 97 employees: 44 agent and 53 fleet service clerk positions," AA's said in its letter to the state.
AA reopens 'Flagship Lounge' at Miami
The Miami Herald writes "American Airlines said Tuesday that it has re-opened its Flagship Lounge at Miami International Airport, which caters to first-class passengers traveling through the airport on select transcontinental or international flights." The South Florida Sun-Sentinel adds "the lounge, which offers food, showers and computer services, originally opened in January 2000, but closed in March 2002 as part of cost-cutting efforts."
"Located in Concourse E on the departure level directly beyond the security checkpoint, the Miami Flagship Lounge spans approximately 3,600 square feet with seating for 62 guests," AA says in a press release. Among the options AA highlights in its press release: "Four spa-like shower facilities, complete with towels, shampoo, body gels and blow-dryers, are available for travelers wishing to freshen up before continuing on their journey."
But, it's not all good news for Miami. The South Florida Business Journal writes AA expects to lay off 97 additional employees at Miami as of Jan. 30. "American on Dec. 5 notified the state under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act," the publication writes. "At this time, we expect an employment loss of approximately 97 employees: 44 agent and 53 fleet service clerk positions," AA's said in its letter to the state.
eolesen
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You need to get your hearing checked, Wing.... Layoffs aren't going up to 1997.... up to 97 are being laid off. BIG difference there. 😉
WingNaPrayer
Veteran
Actually, no. I distinctly heard them say the warn letters went to people with seniority dates as deep as 1997. A coincidence in the numbers I'm sure plus, I asked an OC buddy about it and she confirms the 97 seniority dates, saying they barely missed her this time.
It makes no sense. AA is adding flights and capacity, yet they are cutting back on the people needed to service those additional customers and flights. Is there a magic formula that I am missing here? Does something happen to those that are left that makes them magically able to do more with less when headcount is reduced?
Just a couple of weeks ago, an agent was massively beaten at the podium by a passenger who was being denied boarding due to oversales. These agents are so short handed they have NO back-up and are left vulnerable to the possibility of attack by any number of the cheap ticket set. Injured so badly, she still hasn't be able to return to work. What do you think AA will do if/when she runs out of stick time?
I shudder to think.
Clearly, the a$$holes are in charge and although they have sh|t for brains, they are running short on toilet paper to clean up their mess!
It makes no sense. AA is adding flights and capacity, yet they are cutting back on the people needed to service those additional customers and flights. Is there a magic formula that I am missing here? Does something happen to those that are left that makes them magically able to do more with less when headcount is reduced?
Just a couple of weeks ago, an agent was massively beaten at the podium by a passenger who was being denied boarding due to oversales. These agents are so short handed they have NO back-up and are left vulnerable to the possibility of attack by any number of the cheap ticket set. Injured so badly, she still hasn't be able to return to work. What do you think AA will do if/when she runs out of stick time?
I shudder to think.
Clearly, the a$$holes are in charge and although they have sh|t for brains, they are running short on toilet paper to clean up their mess!
T
The Goose
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What you describe is the only logical outcome when bean-counters and accountants run a business - they run it into the ground whilst saving money and being efficient to the detriment of their most "highly valued commodity", their employees.
I know - if I don't like it, go elsewhere. Had I just started at American within the past 5 years I'd have been gone already, but with 20+ years in and a short time 'til retirement, I'll stay and whine (got cheese?).
American Airlines is not the first corporation to fall into this trap and, no doubt, won't be the last as "education" (MBAs, etc. & et al) plus the willingness to play the game (team player) are valued more highly than the ability to think and reason in corporate America. I've come to look at a business education as a way for the corporate America infestation to perpetuate its species and resulting incompetence.
WingNaPrayer
Veteran
Corporations . . . think? Nah, they outsourced that to the chinese! If AA could figure out a way to outsource all ground personnel jobs to the mexicans, I have no doubt they would do it quicker than they can make their next bank deposit of their bonus checks!
