Smoke and Mirrors

[UPNAWAY]

Now that the merger rumors are done we can focus on the outstanding operational turn around that is ongoing.
Many claim this is not real and all done with smoke and mirrors.
YTD 2007 2008
D0 39.2 63.2
A14 63.3 79.8

D0 is D0 so that is apples and apples comparison and this year we have improved 24 points. A14 is a 16.5 point improvement. That would seem to also imply the schedule padding that many claim is in fact not happening. If anything the padding has shrunk as the numbers reflect.

 

[UWCactus]

The schedule padding was supposed to begin to pull back a bit, due to high cost of having the pad. We should stll be be proud of the improvements and continue to focus on getting our flights out on time. We've had enough bad press in this area and could use some positive for a while. It helps everyone.

 

[CLT CS AGENT]

I know it is sometimes smoke, mirrors, and lying. When a flight is supposed to be off the gate at 0600 and doesn't push back until 0627 but calls in it's out time at 0600, then someone is lying. This happens on a regular basis at my station and I am sure it happens at others. It is dishonest and the FAA should look into the practice. I don't buy this ontime bullsh!t and anyone who does is only decieving themselves.

 

[UPNAWAY]

SW for the longest time did their logpages in pencil and the DOT complianed about that. There OTP has not been as good since they went to pens. I think our reported times are gather via ACARS so I don't know how much fidging a pilot can do.

 

[jimntx]

SW for the longest time did their logpages in pencil and the DOT complianed about that. There OTP has not been as good since they went to pens. I think our reported times are gather via ACARS so I don't know how much fidging a pilot can do.

But, doesn't ACARS record an "off the gate" if you close the door and pop the brake? Doesn't necessarily mean you have left. As a f/a, I like it because I get paid when that happens, but customers get a little annoyed when we back off the gate 5 feet then stop for 15-20 minutes for the rest of the luggage to be boarded. Is some of this happening at LCC?

 

[BoeingBoy]

Depends on the software loaded into ACARS. LCC used "doors closed" (including cargo, so no benefit to closing just the entry door) to generate out times until about 5-7 years ago. Then they changed it to aircraft movement. Supposedly it being changed to the HP "entry door closed" method to improve O/T performance.

Despite what upnaway says, WN is using ACARS now and still ranks at or near the top. All the talk of "WN cheats on their times" was proven unfounded when WN's O/T performance remained about the same with ACARS.

Jim

 

[CLT CS AGENT]

SW for the longest time did their logpages in pencil and the DOT complianed about that. There OTP has not been as good since they went to pens. I think our reported times are gather via ACARS so I don't know how much fidging a pilot can do.

I know that a station supervisor here will go onboard and ask the pilot to turn off the ACARS, and they do. They make up stories like, TSA is backed up (when it's not), or we are having ground equipment problems (which we don't). These are the same station supervisors that make fraudulent reservations to keep flights from being oversold so they do not have to deal with DBC (Denied Boarding Compensation) and they also do it so that some non-revs will be able to get a seat. Corruption abounds! Oh, and don't tell me to report it to someone, I did. They asked the station manager about it and he denied it. End of investigation. But, we're #1. Not a prize I am proud of.

P.S. Despite my usaviation name, I am no longer in CLT. Terry Pope, station manager in CLT would never have tolerated this...salute to "The Pope".

 

[jerseyfinn]

We're npt flying as much this year as in years past. All of our US flights have pushed back on time or even a few minutes early. From my own observations watching my gate and the gates & boards around me at PHL ( domestic and TA ), PBI, and PHX, it appears that there exists a concerted effort to board and push back on schedule. That said, we've encountered delays on the ramp. One was indeed the close the door and take 20 miniutes to put bags on the plane. Others involved de-icing and the usual PHL taxi queue deal.

So we're quite aware that a conscious effort is being made to improve service. No clapping on my part since that's your job to begin with, but I do acknowledge that ops now appear to be conscious that there are customers sitting in the back and folks are indeed making some effort.

CLT CS AGENT's remarks speak to the continuing fundamental problem with Tempe. They are inveterate liars encased in incredulous arrogance. I'm gonna say that a good part of the numbers reflect better ops, but I do indeed believe that Tempe continues to lie and cook the books. Hence the improvement the numbers suggest do not reflect the reality on the ground. I also suspect that lots of airlines play the same game.

Sorry if I'm underenthused, but that's how one gets when managment lacks ethos and you are tired of the lies. But to the folks busting their humps to do the job, . . . thanks!

Barry

 

[a320av8r]

I know that a station supervisor here will go onboard and ask the pilot to turn off the ACARS, and they do. They make up stories like, TSA is backed up (when it's not), or we are having ground equipment problems (which we don't). These are the same station supervisors that make fraudulent reservations to keep flights from being oversold so they do not have to deal with DBC (Denied Boarding Compensation) and they also do it so that some non-revs will be able to get a seat. Corruption abounds! Oh, and don't tell me to report it to someone, I did. They asked the station manager about it and he denied it. End of investigation. But, we're #1. Not a prize I am proud of.

P.S. Despite my usaviation name, I am no longer in CLT. Terry Pope, station manager in CLT would never have tolerated this...salute to "The Pope".

The ACARS can not be turned off. It is wired to the aircraft hot battery bus.

 

[vantheman63]

SW for the longest time did their logpages in pencil and the DOT complianed about that. There OTP has not been as good since they went to pens. I think our reported times are gather via ACARS so I don't know how much fidging a pilot can do.

Okay....here's one for all you aviation geniuses and rock stars to put in your pipe, smoke and explain to me "why" it is the way it is....

"SW for the longest time did their logpages in pencil and the DOT complianed about that. There OTP has not been as good since they went to pens."

Groovy....now their OTP isn't on par with others....or maybe its even below par....right?

So, explain this to me Lucy.....HOW ARE THEY STILL THE #1 AIRLINE COMPANY IN TERMS OF PROFIT, FINANCIALS, VALUES and nearly any other matrices you can toss out?

Is it possible ladies and gentlemen....now work with me here.....isn't it just possible that....drumroll please.....THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ALSO OF IMPORTANCE....PERHAPS EQUALLY OR MORE IMPORTANT???

Why a bunch of us argue the finer points of ACARS (which I will promise you 99.9% of the people who put US at the BOTTOM of the pile in terms of complaints have ZERO idea what that even is) and take our eyes off the bigger picture confounds me.

The rock star kids in the sand box in Tempe have lulled everyone into this idea that, "if we're on time with people's luggage, EVERYTHING will be fine!" Uh, really??? Can someone still explain....

-Why US is stuck at or near the bottom in complaints?

-Why NO ONE believes this comapny has ANY leverage to generate cash during these, "tough times?"

-Why people like me who can and will actually spend money on full Y or F tix chose US dead last?

Hint: I wanna be there on time...but I more or less assume and take for granted THATS WHAT I'M GETTING FOR MY DOLLAR!!!! That ana a safe ride.

 

[CLT CS AGENT]

CLT CS AGENT's remarks speak to the continuing fundamental problem with Tempe. They are inveterate liars encased in incredulous arrogance. I'm gonna say that a good part of the numbers reflect better ops, but I do indeed believe that Tempe continues to lie and cook the books. Hence the improvement the numbers suggest do not reflect the reality on the ground. I also suspect that lots of airlines play the same game.

Sorry if I'm underenthused, but that's how one gets when managment lacks ethos and you are tired of the lies. But to the folks busting their humps to do the job, . . . thanks!

Barry
[/quote]

Please don't think I am trying to highjack this thread but to add to what you said there are issues of management putting bootleg whiskey in friends bags after the baggage has been inspected, illegal drugs being used at work (narcodics and marijuana), aircraft cargo door being damaged by a "high" employee and maintanance having to be called to fix it (no one was sent for a drug test, the supervisor did not think it was necessary). This is only the past few months. One employee wanted to file a complaint because someone took a bottle of Loritab 10's from his locker. He takes 3 or 4 of them during a 6 hour shift. But it does no good to report it because the company doesn't want to focus attention on these things. Instead, they falsify records and on time reports to show how good things are at the new US Airways. I will give credit to those who do work hard and are honest and trying to make a difference, yall keep up the good work.

 

[CLT CS AGENT]

The ACARS can not be turned off. It is wired to the aircraft hot battery bus.

OK, then how come everytime the supervisor ask them to do this, their out and off time have to be called in instead of being reported automatically? Just trying to understand.

 

[sharktooth]

I know it is sometimes smoke, mirrors, and lying. When a flight is supposed to be off the gate at 0600 and doesn't push back until 0627 but calls in it's out time at 0600, then someone is lying. This happens on a regular basis at my station and I am sure it happens at others. It is dishonest and the FAA should look into the practice. I don't buy this ontime bullsh!t and anyone who does is only decieving themselves.

You have an obligation to report that to the FAA. It is a malicious and reckless forging of a federal document and reflects directly on a pilots flight/duty time requirements as well as maintenance.

 

[cltrat]

CJ900's call out times the rest are acars

 

[hp_fa]

How does a CSR have a duty to report directly to the FAA? They aren't licensed or credentialed by the FAA and therefore not directly or personally obligated to do any such thing. A better question is why any pilot would do any such thing when they are personally licensed by the FAA and, also, their pay and credit hours are directly tied to block time?