Rescue Supplies denied

[AANOTOK]

You have to watch this video. I am now truly embarrassed to work for AA.

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-395940?hpt=Sbin :angry:


Lets go spin doctors, you know who you are. I'm ready for you apologists to spin this one away!!

 

[FWAAA]

Wow. American Airlines truly is evil.

AA announced the bag and box embargo a week ago:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Air...ml?x=0&.v=1

A truly evil company that airlifted 90,000 lb of cargo last Wed, Thur and Fri:

In addition, American and American Eagle have already started sending aid into Haiti to provide relief for its more than 100 employees who work at Toussaint Louverture International Airport and for assistance at local hospitals in Port-au-Prince. Three American Eagle aircraft arrived in Port-au-Prince today providing 30,000 pounds of supplies, including water, food and other non-perishable goods. Three relief missions each day are planned for Thursday and Friday. Employees throughout American's system have already set in motion efforts to aid earthquake victims by raising funds and providing assistance.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AMR-Corp-Par...ml?x=0&.v=1

I'd be embarrassed to work for such a lousy company if I were you.

 

[AANOTOK]

There is the first apologist. Hey FW, AA has done some great things sure, but telling the man they need the room for media gear and he states this stuff is to save lives, how about paying attention. You embarrass me!

It's called flexibility to save lives FW. You do not give media gear priority over medicine. Is that hard
to comprehend.

 

[eolesen]

Dunno... I used to work the Haiti and Dominican flights before the embargoes, and cube-outs were a regular event.

Would you feel better if AA accepted everything, and then wound up involuntarily denying boarding to the relief workers, because AA's policy is to take off passengers before bags?...

Or would you be damning them for having accepted too many bags?...

 

[MERV]

Theirs to types of embargoes permeant and seasonal. It depends load factors of the flts than they decide what city pairs will be permeant or seasonal. This done mainly for Weight and Balance of A/C like that they can carry max paidload and not leave anything behind. From what I was they were willing to paid but usually employees hands are tie to the policy. They could of told them to drop it off at cargo or Priority Parcel Service for delivery or they'll could of call customer service majority of the time they help. Also they shift it their weight from bag to bag so they actual weren't over.

 

[eolesen]

From my days at JFK, there was no shortage of people willing to pay the excess fees, but that didn't change the fact that at departure time, when you're cubed out and a carts or two of bags left to load, you're screwed.

This was just six folks in SAN, but if every agent in every outstations makes one or two exceptions, you can easily wind up with 60-100 exceptions, and now you're cubed out.

Whose bag/box is most able to be left behind on the ramp at JFK, FLL, or MIA?... Which relief worker is least needed?

Something else to consider is fuel. It's in short supply on Hispanola right now with all the relief activity, so all the flights are tankering their return fuel. That also impacts the payload.

Call it apologist if you wish, AANOTOK, but as a FSC, I'd think you would better understand the concepts (and impact) of a payload restriction for fuel and cubing out.

 

[AANOTOK]

eoleson,

I guess like FW, you missed the point. The young man asked if there was any space available and that he would be willing to pay extra for it, her response was it was for media equipment. Hopefully, the camera, microphones etc.....can do the same job as the important life saving medicine can. Yes eol, I know plenty about fuel, loads etc....I learned a little in my 28 years, but it did not take me that long to learn about priorities. Heck, maybe I'm way behind on the technology of today and that media equipment will save lives as well as the medicine, if not better. My bad eoleson, I guess I should apologize for not keeping up with the times.

 

[FWAAA]

No need to apologize, AANOTOK, stay the course and call people names when you disagree with them and when you don't understand the decision-making behind something like the bag and box embargo. Nothing says professionalism like name-calling. Well played.

And no need for those rescue workers to prioritize their own cargo to fit within AA's somewhat generous allowances given the challenges mentioned by eolesen. Each person is allowed two large checked bags plus a carryon - in total, more than 140 pounds of stuff.

If they want to bring more cargo than that, then they should look into alternate means of transport.

 

[MERV]

I agree with you certain extend. They could offer many different options.
Yes theirs customer care type of thing they'll help once either enter in the RES by customer service or superior. I just check the site for baggage allowance. My guess is it has changed in past few months.

Other International Travel
One bag carry-on. No charge
40 lbs/18 kgs. (carry-on)
45 in/114 cm (carry-on)
Two bags checked. No charge
62 in/157 cm (checked)
50lbs/23kg (checked)
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/b...chorEvent=false

 

[FA Mikey]

This also not the only medicine going to Hati. Plane loads of it are arriving daily. Just because this is what they are bringing for their contribution, doesnt mean it is the only supply.

 

[AANOTOK]

FW,

I think eol can speak for himself. As for you, I was not an apology directed your way, sorry.

Not sure where I called people names (plural), but then again, if you think it makes your argument stronger, go for it.

It's ok to be a smart*** ("I'd be embarrassed to work for such a lousy company if I were you."), but god forbid

you are labeled an apologist, well FW, some might call that a hypocrite. That's ok, if they want to bring more cargo

I guess you mean medicine, they do need to look at other means of transport, time is not of essence.


So, before I fall into Ralphs doghouse, I will stop this back and forth debate.
You have a good day FWAAA and keep up the great work you provide!

 

[AANOTOK]

This also not the only medicine going to Hati. Plane loads of it are arriving daily. Just because this is what they are bringing for their contribution, doesnt mean it is the only supply.

Mikey, you may be correct, but the last reports I have been hearing are that they are in desperate need of many things including medicine.
With all the casualties, there is never enough. Hopefully, they are getting caught up and more lives are being saved.
So tragic, another strong tremor today, 6.1 I believe.

 

[eolesen]

Apparently these guys were told *before* they came to the airport they couldn't bring the extras, and they were told why...

And for the record, the person who they dealt with at SAN was GM of MSY during Katrina. If there's anyone who knows the complexities and impact on an airport at the receiving end of a massive relief effort, it's Tina...

 

[The Goose]

Apparently these guys were told *before* they came to the airport they couldn't bring the extras, and they were told why...

And for the record, the person who they dealt with at SAN was GM of MSY during Katrina. If there's anyone who knows the complexities and impact on an airport at the receiving end of a massive relief effort, it's Tina...

The most pressing need is medical supplies and I find it rather difficult to understand what use any audio/video equipment would have to that end that is so important it rates an 'exception' priority over medicine.

There will certainly be plenty of time to provide a video feed for the handwringers to worry about the "poor, poor people" and the voyeurs who get off on seeing any disaster complete with human suffering. Had I been there making those decisions, the mindless enforcer stating the only exception would be for media equipment would still be in her proctologist's office to remove my foot.

However - that box contained medical supplies - calcium chloride. AA and it's so-called leadership deserves immediate crucifixion on the ramp plus a few evil spells from the witch doctors Haiti is known for, just for good measure.

I was distracted when watching the video the first time and missed quite a bit, evidently.

People, this is an emergency. The friggin' airplane will fly quite nicely even if 100 lbs. overweight.

 

[Mach85ER]

Eolesen,

Question regarding cubing out. Was it ever common practice to deny a revenue pax an open seat (standby rev pax for instance) soley because their bags were not going to get on a cubed out flight?

Thx