WEST/EAST transition training classes

[Sthrnboy]

Yeah but for initial training, I'd think you'd have to learn every aircraft in the fleet. When I went through training, I still had to be qualified on the MD-80 and DC-9. I got based in CLT, and neither plane had trip pairings in the CLT base. Airbus was just coming to our fleet, so we didn't learn it in training, but had to go back to training a month or two after being on the line. So even though an aircraft is not assigned to your base, I think it's necessary for EVERYONE to be qualified on ALL aircraft.

I have integration training on Feb. 6, so hopefully all the kinks will be worked out of the lesson plans by then. Clearly not everyone is up for the changes that are going on around us...some of the comments here are taken so personal. It's ok to vent and get it out, but I'm most concerned about a new contract than learning the new way to arm/disarm my door!

So are we getting rid of using seniority to choose positions on the plane? Posts were indicating A f/a would go junior due to new thru pax changes?? Most senior f/a fly A position for the extra $$. I heard that on the West once Scheduling gives you a position, then it's yours, no changing!!??!!??

Also, I heard the fence may go back up here in PHL (domestic/transatlantic division), but I also heard that INT'L PAY is out the door! Transatlantic may go junior after all!!!!!!!!!

Yes, when Scheduling give you a position, it is yours, but if two flight attendants agree they can swtich..... If the Junior fA does not want to be in another postions even if the Senior FA wants it... Too bad... No senioirty bullying on the west.
Most of us switch if we want... SO its not a set rule... But a Senior FA can not force a junior fa out of a position even if the senior fa wants it.

Well our "A" postion goes senior due to the money still. However, if the "A" position gets off the aircraft and leaves the "B" or "C" to stay with through passengers they can be wrote up for this "major infraction" of company policy. Just FYI.

 

[USAirwaysFA99-11]

Nope. Many F/As in DCA are only qualified to work on 737-200/300/400, DC-9/30-80, AB 319/320/321. Most have never had initial training in F100/28, 757-200, 727-200, AB330, 767-200. This is why when you are in training, instructors will ask if you are qualified on a particular aircraft.

Well as short as most of our bases seem to be (I've had to work OPR in two bases already this month), it only seems logical that we have to be qualified on every aircraft. I know in recurrent f/a's don't touch the doors that aren't assigned to their base. Going forward, it would seem more cost effective to train everyone on everything all at once.

 

[JMM]

Yeah but for initial training, I'd think you'd have to learn every aircraft in the fleet. When I went through training, I still had to be qualified on the MD-80 and DC-9. I got based in CLT, and neither plane had trip pairings in the CLT base. Airbus was just coming to our fleet, so we didn't learn it in training, but had to go back to training a month or two after being on the line. So even though an aircraft is not assigned to your base, I think it's necessary for EVERYONE to be qualified on ALL aircraft.

I have integration training on Feb. 6, so hopefully all the kinks will be worked out of the lesson plans by then. Clearly not everyone is up for the changes that are going on around us...some of the comments here are taken so personal. It's ok to vent and get it out, but I'm most concerned about a new contract than learning the new way to arm/disarm my door!

So are we getting rid of using seniority to choose positions on the plane? Posts were indicating A f/a would go junior due to new thru pax changes?? Most senior f/a fly A position for the extra $$. I heard that on the West once Scheduling gives you a position, then it's yours, no changing!!??!!??

Also, I heard the fence may go back up here in PHL (domestic/transatlantic division), but I also heard that INT'L PAY is out the door! Transatlantic may go junior after all!!!!!!!!!

Fences back up at Philly, does that mean PHX gets a fence too? Also, no international pay???? That is not acceptable, yet another thing this westie looked forward to......

 

[Sthrnboy]

Fences back up at Philly, does that mean PHX gets a fence too? Also, no international pay???? That is not acceptable, yet another thing this westie looked forward to......

Philly should not get a fence if CLT can't (per a merger) and or PHX/LAS due to the merger between US Airways/America West Airlines. ARGGG..

NOT RIGHT. I thought everything was to be EQUAL = All US Airways Flight Attendants West/EAST.
Hum so much for Equality. :down:

 

[USCREW]

Fences back up at Philly, does that mean PHX gets a fence too? Also, no international pay???? That is not acceptable, yet another thing this westie looked forward to......

If true, the fence is between domestic and international, not PHL or CLT as a base. PHX does not go transatlantic. Other destinations are lumped in with domestic.

 

[USAirwaysFA99-11]

Nope. Many F/As in DCA are only qualified to work on 737-200/300/400, DC-9/30-80, AB 319/320/321. Most have never had initial training on F100/28, 757-200, 727-200, AB330, 767-200. This is why when you are in training, instructors will ask if you are qualified on a particular aircraft.
If your initial training was in 1957, ahem...Ms. Betty N. 😛h34r: , then there weren't that many!!!!

I was trained in 99, and when we got to aircraft specific week, it was referred to as Hell Week. 8 different aircraft types learned and tested each day (Learn 737-200 on Monday, test at end of day, learn 757 on Tuesday, test and end of day...but if you had to retake a test it would be AFTER we learned the new aircraft for that day)...It got very confusing for some, but it is totally workable.

And I really don't understand why some of our more seasoned f/a's can't recite commands at recurrent. They're not that difficult, and if we'd actually do the 30 second review instead of whatever else seems more important at the time, then it would be better for all of us.

I'm definitely NOT for this whole writing someone up. Unless it's some type of serious safety issue, I don't care to waste my time nit-picking and observing every little thing my crew may or may not do.

 

[Travelpro72]

I thought that the seniority issues of who stays onboard for a thru flight were contractual. So this will just POOF change? I understand about the whole FCFS stuff and peope po'd about the seniority they DON'T have but when it comes to the day to day flying as a f/a seniority is ALL WE HAVE LEFT DAMN IT! ! ! ! I can see big problems down the pike....hmmmm

 

[IMisstheAladdinTrays]

I thought that the seniority issues of who stays onboard for a thru flight were contractual. So this will just POOF change? I understand about the whole FCFS stuff and peope po'd about the seniority they DON'T have but when it comes to the day to day flying as a f/a seniority is ALL WE HAVE LEFT DAMN IT! ! ! ! I can see big problems down the pike....hmmmm

Really big ones! And I'm one of the people with a good attitude! AWA seems a bit hokey pokey to me.

 

[LCC_#1]

You know, the hell with senority!! The hell with loyalty to the company!! I am so sick and tired of the constant whining from WEST PEOPLE!!! I have stayed with this company as a loyal employee. The junior puke do NOT care or respect senority, Well, listen lil ones, some day YOU will get your 20 yr pin and will feel proud that you gave 20 yrs of DEDICDATED AND LOYAL service. Your 2-7 yrs means NOTHING!!! SORRY, I AM BEING HONEST!! PAINT ME THE DEVIL, BUT YES, I AM entittled to more than some 1 or 2 yr f/a and even a 10 yr f/a. F :censored: pay your dues in years and come to me about what you THINK you are owed. This is NOT about entitlement but what is fair. I was once a new hire as well and I'll be DAMNED if some snotnosed 20 yr old should go before me on ANYTHING as a 44 yr old. If you don't like it, work somewhere else. :down: :down: :down:

 

[Sthrnboy]

I thought that the seniority issues of who stays onboard for a thru flight were contractual. So this will just POOF change? I understand about the whole FCFS stuff and peope po'd about the seniority they DON'T have but when it comes to the day to day flying as a f/a seniority is ALL WE HAVE LEFT DAMN IT! ! ! ! I can see big problems down the pike....hmmmm

Well the pay for ANC/Hawaii/Mexico's/Canadian Cities.... is considered International... Humm.... I wonder how it will all be effected?

Also I think, some policies might change... Who knows... if this is what they are teaching you guys/gals... I wonder if this is going to stay the same.... the "A" ON BOARD for the onboard passengers?? As you say its contractual issues... Who cares about the (who stays on board) we should be worrying about pay such as mx, etc.. and other issues... lets get pay and work rules better and for go who stays onboard... just my two cents.

 

[Travelpro72]

The issue of the "A" staying on board then the "B" and so on is new to east. I thought that we had that worked out in our current agreement here. Seniority is certainly not as important to some on the West as it is quite evident in MANY, MANY posts over the past year but it is contractual on MANY levels over here on the East side. I don't see how they can just change who stays on and who gets off as long as the FAA mandated number of f/a's are present with thru passengers. It will be a HUGE deal for the f/a who is more senior and took the "A" position rightfully due to his/her seniority then to NOT be able to get off first? Next they will try to change the policy of who gets to get off by seniority if they downsize an a/c on a route. Unfreakin believable if this DOES happen and isn't contractual. Let's find out. 🙄

 

[Sthrnboy]

The issue of the "A" staying on board then the "B" and so on is new to east. I thought that we had that worked out in our current agreement here. Seniority is certainly not as important to some on the West as it is quite evident in MANY, MANY posts over the past year but it is contractual on MANY levels over here on the East side. I don't see how they can just change who stays on and who gets off as long as the FAA mandated number of f/a's are present with thru passengers. It will be a HUGE deal for the f/a who is more senior and took the "A" position rightfully due to his/her seniority then to NOT be able to get off first? Next they will try to change the policy of who gets to get off by seniority if they downsize an a/c on a route. Unfreakin believable if this DOES happen and isn't contractual. Let's find out. 🙄

Actually in the west contract. The most Senior FA gets paid and does not do the trip if it is downsized... Just FYI...
As far as the statement of "FAIR" Please... Spare me.... Per the FCFS/vs/Seniority... Please... if things were fair then it would not be a issue. What is a issue is two groups set in there ways and both sides not willing to create something together that benefits all flight attendants from a one month fa to a senior fa... Please don’t fuss due to a policy is changing... It’s the company’s right... I don’t make it up. If you have a problem with it... There is always the door...

But most fa’s wont work with mgt or work with the union to try to change things. They just prefer to fuss and argue with each other. Which hurts all of “USâ€￾.

Just like any job out there...

 

[Travelpro72]

Changing to different policies is fine but to date VERY little changes have been positive. If anyone of us are adaptable to change I'd say the east pretty much has that covered. We have had more damn mergers and blending of cultures than you could ever realize. As far as policies changing Yeah we have a HUGE problem with changing something that may be a contractual issue. You want change? Get the company to negotiate fairly at the table and we'll come up with something FAIR for all of us. THAT my friend has NOT happened to date. Moving on.....

 

[Sthrnboy]

Changing to different policies is fine but to date VERY little changes have been positive. If anyone of us are adaptable to change I'd say the east pretty much has that covered. We have had more damn mergers and blending of cultures than you could ever realize. As far as policies changing Yeah we have a HUGE problem with changing something that may be a contractual issue. You want change? Get the company to negotiate fairly at the table and we'll come up with something FAIR for all of us. THAT my friend has NOT happened to date. Moving on.....

What changes have been un-positive... ISD (less ISD) how is that not positive...? Just asking? It is a contractual issue now. However, is that a major issue? I for one again would like better pay for all ranks/file members. Again I ask.... Why is the "who stays onboard" a big issue. When pay rates/work rules - such as full dead head pay for the east. Vacation for the east. Reserve issues per the west... Reserve timelines/duty days/legs per the west. etc.. These I would say are much bigger issues... Getting the east fa's a better health plan like the west has...

I would say this is a bigger fish to fry than the flight attendant who stays on-board...

As far as getting the company to negotiate fairly at the table... Yeah... that would be nice... I agree….

 

[Travelpro72]

Changing how to arm/disarm a door is not a contractual issue. We DO have items in our contract here that we would like to keep in place and items we'd like to change but until a new agreement is reached and ratified we shall do things the way it is written per contract. (for those who follow) 😉 I'm not saying that the west way or the east way is better but we on the east certainly DO have an issue when it comes to seniority. As for the mention of FCFS sure we have many that want DOH but THAT is NOT a contractual issue so whateve way it goes we have no say. If certain issues the company wants changed are contractual then they don't get changed because thats how the west does it or how the east does it. THAT is what I'm trying to say. Many on the east are concerned with seniority because well, WE HAVE IT. You too shall feel the same when your more senior.