Us Airways Mechanics Experience Somber Day

[BoeingBoy]

Let me see if I can turn this thread around a little.....

In my 27 1/2 years with this airline, I have had exactly 1 occasion to question a mechanic's word that something on an airplane was up to specification. I've had exactly 1 incidence of a problem with an airplane after it came out of maintenance. Both were minor items - with the built-in redundancy and margins, neither affected safety one iota.

So to every mechanic that has left, those about to leave, and those who remain I say thank you. Thank you for allowing me the luxury of not having to worry if the airplane I was about to take was safe or not. Thank you for all the times that I put my family on an airplane without a thought as to whether the maintenance was up to snuff or not. Thank you for making nearly half my life worry free - at least where the mechanical condition of our planes was concerned.

Many on the outside will not, can not, understand what a wonderful gift you have all given me over and over and over again. Day in and day out. Whether you had to do your job in snow, rain, or dark. But I certainly do understand. You see, I've worked in jobs on the 'dark side' where maintenance is hit or miss and pilots are faced with the choice of lose their job or take the risk because management only gives them those two choices.

So once again, thank you and Godspeed.

Jim

 

[Rico]

Good luck and a better future to all those who have either elected to leave, or were forced to do so.

 

[airbiiguy]

BoeingBoy,
You are a class individual and truly should represent the pilots at US Airways on this board. A320, you really are a sad, sad bus driver. The time will come for you also, and I'm sure when that day comes no one will stoop to your level and post like you jsut did.

Let me see if I can turn this thread around a little.....

In my 27 1/2 years with this airline, I have had exactly 1 occasion to question a mechanic's word that something on an airplane was up to specification. I've had exactly 1 incidence of a problem with an airplane after it came out of maintenance. Both were minor items - with the built-in redundancy and margins, neither affected safety one iota.

So to every mechanic that has left, those about to leave, and those who remain I say thank you. Thank you for allowing me the luxury of not having to worry if the airplane I was about to take was safe or not. Thank you for all the times that I put my family on an airplane without a thought as to whether the maintenance was up to snuff or not. Thank you for making nearly half my life worry free - at least where the mechanical condition of our planes was concerned.

Many on the outside will not, can not, understand what a wonderful gift you have all given me over and over and over again. Day in and day out. Whether you had to do your job in snow, rain, or dark. But I certainly do understand. You see, I've worked in jobs on the 'dark side' where maintenance is hit or miss and pilots are faced with the choice of lose their job or take the risk because management only gives them those two choices.

So once again, thank you and Godspeed.

Jim

[post="258496"][/post]​

 

[E-TRONS]

BOEINGBOY,

You are quite welcome. It was a pleasure providing you with safe and reliable aircraft. But now I have moved on....out of aviation. My only regret is that I will no longer have any effect on the quality of maintenance your aircraft receives.

To you and all the good crew members that are still out there.........The pin is pulled and in my hand. Clear for taxi upon my salute. Have a safe flight B) .

God Bless!

 

[aerosmith]

Dear USA320,

"Whatsoever you do unto the least of my brethren you do unto me" Jesus, a few thousand years ago!

What Jesus said all those years ago is still true. In my opinion you'd best keep that in mind. Today 400+ of your Brethren face a potentially uncertain future largely through no fault of their own.

Not everybody can be the pilot in command, somebody has to fix, fuel & service the bird lest you and your crew have an untimely meeting with terra firma. Allow them their dignity, allow them to walk out the door and go home to their families with their head held high. There is no disgrace in honest labor.

There but by the grace of God some of us don't have to earn a living by the sweat of our brow. These men and women kept some of the most complex machinery ever built running like a watch for you and all of us who ride with you.

These next few days are NOT the time to point out the obvious. Give them the same dignity and respect they've given you all their careers at US Airways.

To those who left today on behalf of the hundreds of FFOCUS members nationwide we say, "Thanks for a job well done over the years, We wish all of you the best that life can offer" Contact us through the website, we will help you as best we can even if you just need to vent to somone.

Via Con Dios

Bob

Remember that US Airways cannot steal your pride, dignity, family or anything that has true value here or in the afterlife. You have to give those things away all by yourself and they are like precious gems.

[post="258477"][/post]​

Thanks for the kind words Bob. 🙂

 

[calibrator]

Thanks for the kind words Bob. 🙂

[post="258512"][/post]​

Bryan, you beat me to it...I may have disagreed many times with Bob, but I too must thank him for his words....Curt

 

[PITbull]

Let me see if I can turn this thread around a little.....


So to every mechanic that has left, those about to leave, and those who remain I say thank you.  Thank you for allowing me the luxury of not having to worry if the airplane I was about to take was safe or not.  Thank you for all the times that I put my family on an airplane without a thought as to whether the maintenance was up to snuff or not.  Thank you for making nearly half my life worry free - at least where the mechanical condition of our planes was concerned.


So once again, thank you and Godspeed.

Jim

[post="258496"][/post]​

Ditto.

To all the fine mechanics and utility folks, I salute you.

I am forever in awe of the creative potential of our employees; no one should under estimate what they can do...

See you on the otherside...

 

[ClueByFour]

As one colleague of mine said today, "stop shelling your own troops".

[post="258466"][/post]​

Is that a PHL or PIT based pilot? If not, you guys have been shelling your own for years.

Really. It could not have possibly come from a DCA/BOS/LGA or roughly half of the CLT base within AAA ALPA.

 

[AP Tech]

So once again, thank you and Godspeed.

Jim

[post="258496"][/post]​

[/quote]


Jim, Thank you for your kind words!!!!! Most of the mechanics realize that yourself and the majority of the ALPA group have the same feelings and the mechanics appreciate those words. At the same time we realize that there are those out there who will fly junk with little or no regard to their saftey just to keep a paycheck :down:

 

[ggu23311]

Great working conditions + proper compensation = fantastic job!
Great working conditions + minimal compensation = good job.
Crap working conditions + high compensation = questionable job.
Crap working conditions + minimal compensation = crap job.
Crap working conditions + crap compensation = loser!
Ex - Uair mechanics have no where to go but up! Good luck to all.

 

[USA320Pilot]

There is no question that US Airways has one of the best, if not the best mechanics in the business. For that matter, that goes for every employee group within the company.

In my opinion, when I post a news article many people use the thread to vent their frustrations, especially when they reaslize that the union(s) hurt their membership more than necessary.

Nonetheless, I wish every US Airways employee who lost their job the best -- you deserve it.

Best regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Harry Callahan]

Also to kinda echo Jim's words, I would also add my thanks to each of you for all you have done. Bob, also thanks for you comments.

 

[robbedagain]

There is no question that US Airways has one of the best, if not the best mechanics in the business. For that matter, that goes for every employee group within the company.

In my opinion, when I post a news article many people use the thread to vent their frustrations, especially when they reaslize that the union(s) hurt their membership more than necessary.

Nonetheless, I wish every US Airways employee who lost their job the best -- you deserve it.

Best regards,

USA320Pilot

[post="258732"][/post]​

thank you there! in ABE we may find out tomorrow when our last day is. we will be getting our furlough packages. i will be leaving the company at the endof my shift on our last day. i will miss working there but i cant afford to work with the new scabs will will be replacing me and 20 other ramp agents in ABE.

 

[AA717driver]

I don't get the venom directed at USA320pilot. Not being a USAir person, I wouldn't have known about the layoffs taking effect without seeing the article he posted. It's sad to see that happen to anyone. Maybe there's some history with 320pilot I don't know. If so, sorry.

I just passed my one year anniversary of my layoff from AA/TWA. I lucked out and got a good corporate job. My friend who is on his second furlough at USAir finally has an interview coming up with a decent airline. He's due. My old flight instructor (she's younger than me, though) is riding it out at Airways till the end or the recovery. Her dad lost his retirement benefits but not his retirement (lump sum). But I know it is gut wrenching to see your airline dismantled before your eyes.

Try not to turn on each other. The enemy doesn't punch a time clock or wear a USAir uniform--they wear $2,000 suits and get stock options and lifetime First Class PS Passes.

Good luck to all of you. Please try to stay focused on the fact that you and your families are the most important things on this earth and to take care of both. Jobs come and go but what happens to you and your loved ones lasts forever.

Take care.TC

 

[calibrator]

I don't get the venom directed at USA320pilot. Not being a USAir person, I wouldn't have known about the layoffs taking effect without seeing the article he posted. It's sad to see that happen to anyone. Maybe there's some history with 320pilot I don't know. If so, sorry.

I just passed my one year anniversary of my layoff from AA/TWA. I lucked out and got a good corporate job. My friend who is on his second furlough at USAir finally has an interview coming up with a decent airline. He's due. My old flight instructor (she's younger than me, though) is riding it out at Airways till the end or the recovery. Her dad lost his retirement benefits but not his retirement (lump sum). But I know it is gut wrenching to see your airline dismantled before your eyes.

Try not to turn on each other. The enemy doesn't punch a time clock or wear a USAir uniform--they wear $2,000 suits and get stock options and lifetime First Class PS Passes.

Good luck to all of you. Please try to stay focused on the fact that you and your families are the most important things on this earth and to take care of both. Jobs come and go but what happens to you and your loved ones lasts forever.

Take care.TC

[post="258786"][/post]​

Yep TC what is needed is one big group hug...That will do it, yep sure will....Brother!