"New" Improved Galley Packouts

[hp_fa]

First of all, I am not your honey nor your doll.

Don't presume to know I make more money than you...unless you are from the West or express.

We have VERY experienced people working on our negos. The West hasn't a clue. So, if money is your concern you will get a raise if you are a westie.

Well, so much for the value of your opinions.

"The West hasn't a clue"

The first post in this thread stated otherwise. That East person had nice things to say about AFA66.

Where are your councils on this? Where are your leaders? What is Mike Flores doing, other then marking time before he is replaced? The real and meaningful leadership within the AFA group is coming from one place. It is left of the Mississippi.

 

[SKY HIGH]

These "people" that test it out before sending it on the line have no idea. Does anyone know who the EAST flight attendants are that are on this little committee? I would LOVE to know as would everyone else. If the person who is in charge of the decisions for inflight is reading this.....IT DOESN'T WORK! ! ! !

sky high states: .......and you took a procedure and MADE IT WORSE. Gone, is the efficiency of taking the TOPPER out of the galley compartment, putting it on the cart, adding coffee and you're READY TO GO.

TIME is critical and this "new" way has you:
1. Putting the ice drawer on the top of the cart. It doesnt fit and takes UP WAY TOO MUCH ROOM.
2. Putting the cups on the top of the cart. They are not secure. And securing them with the plastic from the ice bin isnt a solution. F/A's are throwing AWAY tons that fell to the floor. And wondering where the last crew put all the creamers, sugars and napkins. Add that to the additional steps now required to step up the cart.

..........efficiency is KEY. The LESS STEPS REQUIRED SHOULD OF BEEN the procedure to keep. Think safety too. Sometimes, Turbulence requires you to quickly "break down" the cart and seek the safety of your jumpseat.
Also, less steps in setting up the cart is key to many markets where the F/A's do a beverage service under 50 minutes. Example, the shuttle, that's a 35 minute flight.



only stating opinions.

 

[peterpjr]

Thanks for that explanation Peter. I know these attempts at setups are crazy to us here at east but it just seems to make no sense. The back galley is a mess and still is. I know you said this was not your setup but what was the feedback compared to the rest. I just don't honestly see how flight attendants said "oh this way is great". It is not functional let alone tacky looking. Does the airbus a/c that the west operates have the exact same carts as us? Some carts are taller. Don't they have different configurations too? I guess any west f/a could answer that one. Thanks. This just seems a mess. Who wants to lift buckets and move all those drawers?

To be honest with you, I am not aware of the results from the feedback. The carts on the West are basically the same size hoever there the metal lip in the middle of the cart is at a different location than the east carts. What this causes, and I am going from memory on this, is the same number of atlas drawers can fit into the cart, not the same positioning. I am sure there is someone reading this post that knows if I am correct. I know nobody wants to hear this but a majority of the mess in the back galley is caused when f/a's break apart the packouts to their own liking and then don't return everything to the original place at the end of the flight. When catering comes on, they can't cater it to the specs because the items are not where they should be. I am not saying this is the fact all the time but by the end of the day, when nothing is put back where it should be, it makes their job much harder.

 

[US1YFARE]

Those in Tempe are starting to.

I'd love to know why you think this is true....

 

[Twicebaked]

Well, so much for the value of your opinions.

"The West hasn't a clue"

The first post in this thread stated otherwise. That East person had nice things to say about AFA66.

I was refering to how to nego a great contract as the West has never had the oppotunity to do so.

Sorry if it came across otherwise

 

[Zarah]

YES... I'm an f/a and your RIGHT it's not stupid stuff at all!!!!! My point is THERE are more IMPORTANT things than ice on top of carts and such, I MOVE MY DRAWERS HONEY AND CLEAN MY PLANES ALL DAY LONG and to boot 100+ HRS A MONTH ON A HELL OF ALOT LESS MONEY THAN YOU HONEY!!! AND DO ALL MY "free" STUFF ALL DAY LONG AND STILL MANAGE TO LOVE MY JOB AND NO IM NOT NEW... SO HONEY I HAVE A VERY VERY VERY BIG CLUE, If you think this is bad doll... you better buckle up cuz the whole industries up for a shakin and you aint ready you better look-up the next buy-out if there is one.

LOL, last time I checked people could multi task on issues that are important to them. No reason to just do accept something because you are to focused on something else that is more important.

 

[Travelpro72]

Heart, I understand that we are in nego's for a new joint contract. I am well aware. However, the person who is ultimately in charge for this cart situation is NOT on the negotiating committee. So that being said one has nothing to do with the other. We as flight attendants on the line have NOTHING to say about the negotiations until our voices are ready to be heard through a vote. The new cart packout is a HUGE deal since your and my job revolves around it ALL DAY. I don't want this to be a "how we use to do it" battle but it was SUPER SIMPLE before. You had a preset topper and you set it on the damn cart and put the coffee on and took off. Now you have to put a puzzle together on EVERY flight. Not to mention in turbulance it is NOT SAFE. I don't care who thought this particular setup up, it's just isn't safe nor condusive to do an effecient service. The ice needs to be in a top drawer somehow on both sides of that cart. I can't believe someone in management is actually being paid to put their seal of approval on this. How was the old way inefficient if the carts from east and west are essentially the same inside? Peter the reason the galley looks the way it does is the packouts and setups are NOT clear. When I was in the crew room there was a lonely cart sitting by itself with no instructions. Who has time for that on a quick hop? NOBODY.

 

[iheartairbus]

Heart, I understand that we are in nego's for a new joint contract. I am well aware. However, the person who is ultimately in charge for this cart situation is NOT on the negotiating committee. So that being said one has nothing to do with the other. We as flight attendants on the line have NOTHING to say about the negotiations until our voices are ready to be heard through a vote. The new cart packout is a HUGE deal since your and my job revolves around it ALL DAY. I don't want this to be a "how we use to do it" battle but it was SUPER SIMPLE before. You had a preset topper and you set it on the damn cart and put the coffee on and took off. Now you have to put a puzzle together on EVERY flight. Not to mention in turbulance it is NOT SAFE. I don't care who thought this particular setup up, it's just isn't safe nor condusive to do an effecient service. The ice needs to be in a top drawer somehow on both sides of that cart. I can't believe someone in management is actually being paid to put their seal of approval on this. How was the old way inefficient if the carts from east and west are essentially the same inside? Peter the reason the galley looks the way it does is the packouts and setups are NOT clear. When I was in the crew room there was a lonely cart sitting by itself with no instructions. Who has time for that on a quick hop? NOBODY.

Well Said! However, about it not being safe... the whole cart is really not safe in turbulence regardless of the set-up, In my own experience I have served a couple thousand flights off the west style cart set-up w/ ice on top and probably had several times with bad turbulence during service and never really had an issue w/ they ice coming off the top or anything or becoming unstable. It's just our two airbus's are set-up kind of different in the back galley config. and I think these type of set-ups are not working for the east Airbus. As far as I know I read somewhere possibly union newsletter or something, maybe someone can shed light on it, but did they not make a HUGE cart order awhile back??

 

[PHX-F/A]

Who's getting $16.10 an hour? Express?
Anyway, you're right about us dragging our feet on less important issues. We're moving at a snail's pace.
The new cart that was presented in DCA was fine. Not perfect, but much better.
In DCA, we're definitely more concerned about the contractual issues, so we all glanced at the cart and said, "Uhh, nice cart...okay...nice job Steve, thanks"!
The new powdered creamers are disgusting. Who would choose that over mini-moos?
What do you think of the new coach biscotti? My first thought was "Wow!!! They're TINY!!!!!", They're about 1" x 2", single wrapped wafer. Pax seemed to like them and requested more, so we ended-up giving out several per pax. We realized while cleaning the plane afterwards that the biscotti wrappers were going to drive us nuts because they were absolutely everywhere.

Not only that, you will partially used sleeves that seem to get recycled back onto the cart, or put in a carrier and found later. We hate those things in the west. The sleeves are awkward, breakage, messy in general. But they are here to stay. They have a Dividend Miles offering printed on the label.

To be honest with you, I am not aware of the results from the feedback. The carts on the West are basically the same size hoever there the metal lip in the middle of the cart is at a different location than the east carts. What this causes, and I am going from memory on this, is the same number of atlas drawers can fit into the cart, not the same positioning. I am sure there is someone reading this post that knows if I am correct. I know nobody wants to hear this but a majority of the mess in the back galley is caused when f/a's break apart the packouts to their own liking and then don't return everything to the original place at the end of the flight. When catering comes on, they can't cater it to the specs because the items are not where they should be. I am not saying this is the fact all the time but by the end of the day, when nothing is put back where it should be, it makes their job much harder.

It's happening out west too. There are "B"s that personalize the galley. You can not open a side compartment or carrier without junk falling out. The average HP flight attendant can not say no to a passenger, so they horde unused product so catering will not take it. The thinking is 'I did'nt use it now, but might need it later and I don't want to run out.' You end up with junk everywhere, and sometimes it will be items that spoil. You never know how long it has been there.



Regarding the selection of the final packout. Someone posted a letter from council 66 regarding the final selection. here it is for your review.


December 9, 2006

Ms. Maureen Dean

Dear Maureen,

The Airbus cart standardization program effective December 6,
2006 has resulted in an unprecedented amount of complaints from
our flight attendants. The new cart pack requires the switching
of liquor and beverage drawers between two carts to render the
second cart usable. This switching of drawers must be done
either in the air or after landing. AFA considers this to be an
unacceptable process that has the potential to increase injuries
to the hands and feet of our flight attendants.

AFA ASHS Committee member, was included in two
pack-out group meetings. During the last meeting your
department's decision on which cart design would be implemented
was shown. It is my understanding that your department did not
share with this group the results of the test flights for each
cart design. Such information as to what configurations worked
and why it worked and conversely what configurations did not
work and why it did not work was never shared with the
attendees. Also, at no time was it physically or graphically
demonstrated to this group the necessity of moving a significant
number of drawers between carts in the configuration that was
effective December 6, 2006.

AFA finds the purposeful addition of a potential significant
source of injury to our flight attendants unacceptable. The
issue of the flight attendant performing duties that should be
solely relegated to the catering company is also unacceptable.
Until this issue is resolved, AFA cannot support the new cart
pack out configuration.

AFA is requesting a meeting with you in the hopes to resolve
these serious concerns.

Sincerely,

Gary Richardson
MEC President
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO

 

[Itestwell]

These "people" that test it out before sending it on the line have no idea. Does anyone know who the EAST flight attendants are that are on this little committee? I would LOVE to know as would everyone else. If the person who is in charge of the decisions for inflight is reading this.....IT DOESN'T WORK! ! ! ! Stop trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Sweet jesus. It's like the mouse trying to find the cheese. What to do...what to do. Is THIS what they are paid to do? These kind of decisions.

I know the "product specialists" in PHL were hands on, as was a PHL inflight supv. Saw them in PHX, and that's what they were in PHX specifically for.

 

[beachboy]

Can anyone guess who participated in the meetings of the new galley packouts? People from Council 70 will certainly know her as our former AFA LEC President. That's right, LA. She was our representative for the flight attendant group on the packouts and what a joke. When you see her in the crew room make sure to inquire about her input into this new system.
Ask while you can as she is heading to PHX the minute the fence comes down. I say good riddance. Sorry PHX, you can have her.

 

[Travelpro72]

My friend is doing the shuttle tomorrow with 6 legs. This new way is to be quick and easy if followed correctly? I don't think so. The flights are very short and turns are quick. You have to give the full can to the passenger as well. TOTAL MESS! ! ! ! Someday we shall see something workable. Someday.

 

[Happy_People]

Well Said! However, about it not being safe... the whole cart is really not safe in turbulence regardless of the set-up, In my own experience I have served a couple thousand flights off the west style cart set-up w/ ice on top and probably had several times with bad turbulence during service and never really had an issue w/ they ice coming off the top or anything or becoming unstable. It's just our two airbus's are set-up kind of different in the back galley config. and I think these type of set-ups are not working for the east Airbus. As far as I know I read somewhere possibly union newsletter or something, maybe someone can shed light on it, but did they not make a HUGE cart order awhile back??

If you are getting paid $16.10 an hour that means you are new 1st year from the west side....so how one serves a couple thousand flights in that time is quite an achievement... since our reserves have not been working THAT much. Bottom line these ISSUES need to be addressed and not something that should be shoved aside. I for one am glad it is being taken care and multi-tasked on behalf of our union. If you read the hotline from the WEST members of AIR/SAFETY/HEALTH are taking this up... not our negotiations team. Our company once again is trying to pit east/west against eachother. Both sides receiving answers ..."thats how the east/west wants it!" "It was designed by flight attendants" "It was approved by your union". We all know better than to listen to that crap.

The real truth is a small group of fa's from both sides came up with it and probably didn't take into consideration, all the lifting, drawer changes, restocking, and running for additional items. The people who probably decided this all work "A" position and never work the back. We need to come up with a solution together what is going to work keeping in mind not everyone will be happy. We deserve better than this ALL of us on both sides do! Our management (TEMPE!) needs to be held accountable for this and they need to fix it. We shouldn't have to work like this!!!

 

[iheartairbus]

If you are getting paid $16.10 an hour that means you are new 1st year from the west side....so how one serves a couple thousand flights in that time is quite an achievement... since our reserves have not been working THAT much. Bottom line these ISSUES need to be addressed and not something that should be shoved aside. I for one am glad it is being taken care and multi-tasked on behalf of our union. If you read the hotline from the WEST members of AIR/SAFETY/HEALTH are taking this up... not our negotiations team. Our company once again is trying to pit east/west against eachother. Both sides receiving answers ..."thats how the east/west wants it!" "It was designed by flight attendants" "It was approved by your union". We all know better than to listen to that crap.

The real truth is a small group of fa's from both sides came up with it and probably didn't take into consideration, all the lifting, drawer changes, restocking, and running for additional items. The people who probably decided this all work "A" position and never work the back. We need to come up with a solution together what is going to work keeping in mind not everyone will be happy. We deserve better than this ALL of us on both sides do! Our management (TEMPE!) needs to be held accountable for this and they need to fix it. We shouldn't have to work like this!!!

Lets just roll a giant vending machine through they isle and stop row by row..."would you like to purchase a soft drink or cocktail?", "Sorry we only take "1's, 5's, and qaurters", "Sir, the snack machine will be coming though they isle momentarily."

 

[Jetsetter2Ord]

Well let me shed some light on the cart packout.

Rumor has it, that a key player in catering will be leaving. So I am sure things will be re-evaluated and tweaked to make this whold cart packout work for ALL.

I applaud AFA 66 for taking a stand to write to management to point out the safety hazards for our workforce.

For those on the east first enjoying the biscoff cookies, they are well liked by our passengers...on a full flight, if provisioned with 6 sleeves per cart, you should be able to give each passenger with about 3 biscoffs each. Yes, the wrappers can be annoying, especially when you mix static electricity with the air...they will be stuck to your fingers and looks funny like playing with chewing gum when trying to put it into the trash. Yes, you will find these tiny wrappers all over, but no different then finding left over peanuts still hovering on any aircraft or under any seat bottom cushion. Sometimes during the holiday season you might find a chocolate coated version...yumm! Rumor also has it for all those bakers, that these cookies make for a great cheesecake crust!

Now the cart pack out has its problems..but have heard that some of this will be rectified soon, and we will tweak it until it works. I have heard that we will get back two liqour carts so that you dont have to constantly be re-loading the cart to make it a good cart.

Those who were on the team to create the new packout, did several designs and created a cart that would allow both East and West to be pleased...we know we cant please everyone..we all need to adapt to change...afterall, there is more change coming ahead in the coming months...give it some time, we will all get used to this cart set up and think WHY were we complaining so much about it??

In regards to the Ice on top of the cart...it has worked in the West for 20years...and in my years of working the cart, NEVER has the ice bucket ever fallen off the cart. If you leave the plastic liner that covers the party sized cups on the bottom while on top of the cart, keeps these cups clean and when your done with service, allows for what is not used to be re-wrapped for sanitary purposes. I can set up this cart packout for service ontop in less than 3minutes, and disassemble it in less than 1minute during turbulance. So no excuses that it takes too long to set up or take down. You will all find a system that works best...some of us put an empty soda drawer ontop on one side and put the coffee pot, a bottle of water, a sleeve of plastic, a sleeve of styros and a few extra cans of those items you may run out of...saves having to run back and forth to the aft galley to get. On the opposite side, put one sleeve of cups, two bottles of water.

An few easy ways to distribute your condiments (sugar, creamer, stir sticks etc. 1)if you have a pullout drawer I line it with a few bev naps..lay out a row of sugars, creamers, sweet n low, stir sticks, a few tea bags and a few decaf bags. 2)a stryo cup filled and placed into your juice drawer by removing one can 3) placed into a stryo cup and clipped onto the side of your ice bucket (those little clips you find while crossing seat belts that pax use to clip all their paperwork, or some get clips at the 99cent store, chip clip type)4) take an airsick bag, tear off the wire tab, fold down the bag sides to a 3" square to make a handy and water proof holder. Trust me it works. You will all find a way to tweak your set up, or give it a bit of flair, but keeping it standard.


The days of liquid creamers are of the past....get over it...if you get them on an occassion enjoy them. The passengers will just have to get used to having powdered creamer..this is a low cost carrier...if they complain, say I am sorry, the company has gone to powder creamer to provide you with a lower fare.

Most importantly...the team that created this new cart packout took what was best from each workgroup and combined the two. Remember, we all do not adapt to change, some changes make sense, and I will agree some simply dont.

I have taken it upon myself that when something doesnt work, to dicusss it with those who are responsible to listen and take action to get things to be corrected. It takes more time to #### and moan about something, but UNTIL you get involved to HELP make change and OFFER suggestions, things will not change. GET INVOLVED, get on a committee...take a stand and in the end...not only will your input help, but you will be able to come to work and be friendlier and have more time to use that negativity time to win over your passengers.

Remember it takes more muscles to frown than it does to SMILE!