SalesGuyCCY said:
Yes, it's unfortunate it could cost us mechanics jobs, but geez guys, see the writing on the wall! If you don't like it, find other employment. You don't have to stay here. The company MUST cut more costs to be competitive and to make a profit. We cannot rely on the business traveler any longer for high yields to make us a profit.
Sales Guy,
While I agree that the company must be profitable, I take exception with the method in which they are trying to accomplish that. They have already extracted the required concessions from the employees. Other than perhaps some workrule changes, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. What you fail to realize is that the employees are the best in the industry, and in many cases they are the ONLY reason loyal customers like myself stay. It surely isn't the product anymore. Your "first class" is an embarrassment when compared to other carriers, especially the other legacy airlines.
Rather than address the real issue, the company has chosen to take more from their most valuable resource, the employees, AND from whom they need the most, us passengers. What is the real issue, you ask?
IT'S THE FARES, STUPID (just my slogan, not meant as a slight to anyone).
There is no justification whatsoever for the current fare structure. It can be easily rationalized to the point where it makes sense, and by default it will improve the revenue picture, thereby making the company more profitable. I was told by a member of management not long ago, that if they could raise the lowest fares by about $20, they could lower the top ones by about $300. SO DO IT ALREADY.
The company has to realize that regardless of which fare we pay, the business traveler is STILL the bread and butter of the industry. Yet they still offer these bargain basement fares which attract the once a year flyer, who is the first to complain and make a scene when something goes wrong (don't get me started on this one). Let me see how plainly I can say this.... FIX THE BUSINESS FARES and let the priceline traveler go to the LCC's. I hate to say this but I am getting tired of subsidizing them. I can no longer justify paying $1000 to fly LGA-CLT and back in one day.
Instead of being brave and doing what needs to be done, the company chooses to make insane decisions--alienate the employees by subcontracting and making impossible work rules, AND alienate the customer by penny pinching on the product. If this continues it is a LOSE LOSE situation--the employee loses the desire to please the customer and the customer loses the desire to fly US. What does that get us?? Say good bye to US.
I don't mean to rant, but most of you know how loyal I have been, and I am just getting frustrated with the current state of affairs. I wish all my friends at US nothing but the best, and I sincerely hope it works out for all of us.
My best to you all.