Worst Contract Carrier

[MidwayMetrolink]

"The Worst Contract Carrier"

I work for one of the contract carriers. I cannot mention which one, because we are not allowed to represent our company online. I wish I could, because I am quite proud of the company and what it has become. I am going to try to make some points and I am going to cover a lot of topics. Please hear me out.

I, like all of you, wanted to work for the majors. Unfortunately, the hands of time did not set themselves to suit my needs. It is not my fault, it is not your fault, it is not Mr. Siegel's fault. It's just he way it is. I wish I could change things. Believe me I do. The fact is, it is not 1968 anymore. I cannot go out and get myself a job flying Convair 580's around the state of Pennsylavania and work my way up the ranks, only to retire at 60, making hundreds of dollars an hour. It does not work that way anymore. It probably won't ever again. So I have a question. "Does working for a contract carrier make me a lessor person than you?"

This topic, among others has discussed the "horrible appearance" of the "employees of the contract carriers." Heaven forbid you mention us as "US Airways Express employees." (Are we all really that hideous?).....Ok I am sorry, I have to vent.......I apologize to all of you that I was not born a supermodel. However I polish my shoes, everyday, prior to hopping onto an airplane. My uniform looks emaculate, and get this......it was even tailored for me! Can you believe that? I work for a contract carrier and I have a tailored uniform. Plus, my weight is in proportion to my height. Just now I was offered a plate of chipped beef gravy and I turned it down!

Now getting back to the topic. Yes, maybe there are some who don't follow uniform standards. I too am annoyed when I see a pilot wearing a long sleeve shirt and no sport coat, but it is not only a problem with the contract carriers. A simple walk through the PHL terminal will show half of all mainline F/A's without "tab's". One was wearing tall leather boots, and the other day......an Allegheny F/A was wearing an old "USAir" scarf. You know, the one that was introduced in 1987? And get this....One mainline pilot was wearing a RED windbreaker over his uniform......DISTASTEFUL! I think the it all came to a head t when I saw a mainline Flight Attendant wearing a sweater over her dress. I won't even mention the one who was not wearing a belt.

I have heard some say, that contract employees don't know much about the US Airways brand because of their lack of training. Maybe you're right. But the other day I was boarding a mainline flight and the "B" Flight Attendant asked, "What kind of plane is this?" "It's a 737-400" I told her. "You can tell because it has television monitors over the center aisle. Plus, it has two exits over each wing." Also, to the PSA gate agent who did not know what PSA stood for....It really doesn't stand for anything anymore. It used to stand for PACIFIC SOUTHWEST AIRLINES until USAir changed the name of Jetstream International to PSA. This was after USAir acquired the "wacky" California carrier, that was started as a flight school and evolved into a fun loving airline with a wonderful smile. They even flew L1011's with lower lobe lounges! Wow! I do know some history........I just haven't been trained very well.

To those of you who say "the contract carriers are not reliable." Well, you're right. I mean the other day we arrived in Philadelphia 25 minutes early, but then we had to wait almost a half hour for a marshaller. (Allegheny does the ramp and ticketing in PHL.......Allegheny is a wholly owned for thos of you not in the know). When they finally did show up, we had to wait another ten minutes for a jetway driver. I guess everyone was busy being productive. But either way, we were late unloading our precious cargo, which means........we were late to depart because no one could find us a headset!........which means tadahhhh.......we were late at our next destination. This is not only a problem at PHL, but also at some mainline stations too! Ok I will give you a break, you were taking care of your own mainline or Allegheny flights first. But you know what? They are all US AIRWAYS passengers. Even the little old lady I had to help up the jetway steps because the mainline agents did not want to get rained on. Yes, a contract employee who actually cared! Can you believe that?

I could go on guys, but I now I am boring you. Let me say this....... when you are ashamed and embarrassed of us, think about the reasons we are so embarrassing. No we don't make as much as you, but we still work as hard. At least most of us do. Believe it or not, I even clean out the seat pockets and cross the seatbelts! I try to make a good impression, even though I am only a "contract" employee.

Finally, to the individual who started this topic....I feel you have a very caring heart. I truly do. I have read all of your posts and I know that the problems at US AIRWAYS have caused the loss of a great employee. If I ever ran an airline, I would call you and offer you a job. So please, as terrible as it is, believe me, not all the contract employees are your enemy.

And for the rest of you, pointing fingers doesn't help! Shoulder some of the blame every so often. Even I do every once in a while. Here's an example. Several months ago, when I was non-revving on a 757, a passenger complained to me because the aircraft was late. I told him, "yes it is the responsiblibty of the airline to get you from point A to point B and being on time helps. Be assured every employee of US AIRWAYS (I did not count myself because I don't work for a wholly-owned or mainline) does their upmost to get you there safely, even if.........weather makes you late." (I did not mention the crew rest issue because passengers tend to blame the crew, not the Regulations).

Thanks for your time. Now, this is my first post and I cannot find a spell check. There may be a few errors. Forgive me.

 

[Hello Newman]

BTW, Mesa should go. They have the largest impact on the US Airways reputation.

Half the time the ship nbrs on Mesa fights are inaccurate. I like how a 90 min mtc or crr delay becomes "weather conditions affecting a prior flight"

 

[Capecod]

Midwaymetrolink, Great post my friend. Great post. -Cape

 

[Capecod]

Can one of you insiders please post the operational stats of each express airline for last month? I know there out there b/c we used to get them sent to us each month at CCair. Lets see some facts. -Cape

 

[Light Years]

Hey Metro-

No offense, but not every 400 has monitors. And the F/A was probably asking because they switch between the 300 and 400 all day and was about to so the boarding announcement (with exit row numbers). Its not like she didnt know that she was on a 737 (duh), she was just wondering aloud to a crewmember rather than craning her neck to see the exits (because of the mergers there are numerous galley configerations for both 737 models). I hope you're not trying to imply that she was wondering if she was perhaps on an A330 and the brave Express pilot/aviation expert helped the old bag find her way.. "durrr, monitors and two window exits.." 🙄

I'm glad you are proud of your company and wish you much success either there or at a future company. I just hope its not at the expense of your predeccessors who fought to make your profession a safe, meaningful, and livable one. Can you say that its not?

If you're refering to me, you'll see that I also talk about mainline employees when they do something tacky (napkin curtains 🙂 ). You sound like you so care, and that is appreciated- most of your colegues don't. Check out how many of these votes and opinions are from customers- they dont care how many thousands of US Airways employees lost thier jobs to outsourced work (contract carriers are the India of airlines), and thaey notice the poor service. I'd hire you too, I only wish it could be for a single list, and not at the expense of others who built the company.

 

[FrankWasRight]

"I'm glad you are proud of your company and wish you much success either there or at a future company. I just hope its not at the expense of your predeccessors who fought to make your profession a safe, meaningful, and livable one. Can you say that its not?"

You might want to forward that to the U MEC,since they approved the great "livable" wage for the EMB170.

 

[flyin2low]

Enough about Mesa, let's get back to Shuttle America and Colgan.

 

[MidwayMetrolink]

Hi Light Years,

No offense taken about the 737-300/400 differences. I honestly don't know what that particular Flight Attendant was thinking. Her exact words were, "What kind of plane is this?" I would imagine there are quite a few galley differences between the USAir and Piedmont 737's, but don't all "300" series have two lavatories against the aft wall and the galleys forward of them, while the "400" series has the galley against the rear wall and two lav's forward of it? Plus, don't the 300's have a forward facing jumpseat and the 400's have two rearward facing jumpseats? I know that you know all the diffences, but apparently she did not. Maybe she was tired. Maybe it had been a long day. I am just trying to make a point that the contract employees do not have a monopoly on appearing ingnorant.

As for my salary. It is not as bad as what most mainline and wholly owned employees think. In fact, I make enough to splurge every once in a while.

You said, "You sound like you care - most of your colueges don't."
I do care. I am glad you noticed. But I have to disagree when you say, "most of your colueges don't." That simply is not true. It is a common misconception to think that most of my fellow workers jumped into this industry yesterday making minimum wage. I have flown with Captains who have worked here 25 years! We have Flight Attendants from Eastern, TWA, and the old Braniff. And all of them bend over backwards for the passengers that think we are US AIRWAYS EXPRESS employees. Thursday afternoon, I overheard a passenger telling our F/A "you were the best 'Stewardess' I have ever flown with."

As for "contract" employees being the India of the airline industry. I am sorry you feel that way. I am even more sorry I cannot change that. I am 28 years old. I wish I could turn back the clock and tell Richard Henson and whoever Allegheny's CEO was at the time of the birth of the "Allegheny Commuter System", "Guys don't do this....it's going to haunt all airline employees one day." The fact is, the argument that "contract employees are stealing our jobs" is a no-win argument and it is not going to get you anywhere. When the regional jets were being dished out, the upper management did not call me into their office and say, "could you tell us what company you want these regional jets to go to?" They didn't ask me or my co-workers. So you are taking your frustrations out on the wrong people. I wouldn't even begin to tell you who to complain to, but it is not me. A good book to read is, "When Generations Collide." That may begin to shed some light on the current conditions of our economy and how we got here. I grit my teeth when I read it.

As for me being a "brave Express Pilot/Aviation Expert." Thanks.....I'm not. If I was really that smart I would have gotten into Real Estate, Construction, or the Technical Boom of the late 90's.

 

[Light Years]

Good posts Metro. Welcome to the board.

I dont think people hold the employees of these airlines directly responsible (although it could be argued that they either voted in, or by accepting the job, agreed to these conditions.) I used to work for a regional airline, in fact I did the proving runs as a F/A for thier first RJ. I still have many friends who work there.

Contract employees certainly don't have a monopoly on looking ingnorant. There are some mainline employees who's idea of customer service/professionalism (napkin curtains, still not over that 🙂 ) is pretty questionable. However, you can understand how enraging it is to see an uncaring contract employee cursing into a cell phone, or wearing a shoddy uniform, or being rude to our customers, when we lost thousands who would love to be back in uniform, proudly representing US Airways. Half of the flight attendant workforce is gone, and hundreds of new faces show up at these "alter-ego" airlines monthly. There is no jets for jobs for flight attendants, and as of yet, MidAtlantic is as real as the tooth fairy (two and a half years after it was promised as a "soft landing").

The current and upcoming situation of continent-spanning, 100 seat jets being flown by "commuter affiliates" is the fault of many. Senior mainline folks that feel invincible and don't give a hoot about thier junior peers have sold them down the river. Too much scope has been given away, too many scumbags have seen a franchise opportunity. When RJS first came about, many saw them for what they could and would be... others saw them as a novelty. Labor should have then sat down and established a line of what was commuter and what was mainline. What can be flown by affiliates (turboprop hops) and what can't (midcon jet routes), and what pay rates are acceptable (most RJ pay rates are not). There still would have been growth, or replacement flying, but it would have been at a large, unionized carrier with fair contracts. One would start on an ERJ and work thier way up to a widebody, earning seniority and a beter way of life as they go. Airline like US Airways would be efficient, rather than a collection of competing entities that can not intermingle equiptment and employees. Teamwork would be stronger, rather than having a flight crew and ground crew who work for different companies with differing cultures, terminology, and standards. The US Airways Express "network" is a tangled, inconsistent, confusing even to employees, mess, and our customers know that- this is the cornerstone of our plan?

Metro, I'm actually slightly younger than you, and until recently did nothing but airline work (never went to college, had my first airline job at 18). I find this industry fascinating, and loved being a part of it, but I dont like what its become. Luckily I'm young enough to have the choice, and junior enough to not have too much invested in a particular company (just my youth- *sigh*) US Airways is the leader in everything that's wrong with the US airline industry, and they'd really better pull some miracles if they want to be around.

As for the contract carrier set-up, whether or not US Airways is around, there is already a backlash starting with labor and consumers alike. Sadly, the MAA employees to be (who have no voting rights) have been sold out again- but this time its to undercut the contractors. So the disgusting race to the bottom for all of our professions begins again, pitting employee vs employee while we see how much further we can go. The damage may be irreversible, and soon you may as well trade your wings for a Wal*Mart badge. It's sad, and its not a ride I personally want to be on. I feel most sorry for those who loved what they did and were great at it, (myself, MidwayMetro) but no longer able to live a sane life doing it. The way things are going, if you haven't gotten there yet, you probably will... but it's worth the fight and I applaud those that do (PITbull etc).

 

[MidwayMetrolink]

Hey Light Years,

You have hit it all on the head. I could not agree more with everything you have mentioned. My two previous posts were just an attempt to display that not all of us are clueless.

I meant it when I said I would solicit you if I ever ran my own company. Don't expect it to happen tomorrow though. If you ever get time, read that book I mentioned. Actually, you really don't need to because you touched on what I was getting at in the above post. It would probably just irratate you.

I have no advice for you. It's not what it used to be and that's sad because people like us were the ones that lost. All I can say is "hang in there." If you follow history (which I know you do), you will find that things should start to turn around here soon. Some of the suggestions you discussed might come to light. Things just need to shake out a little more. I wish you all the best!

 

[ktflyhome]

LightYears and MidwayMetroLinK: It wouldn't surprise me if I would ever come back from my grave, to one day see airplanes boarded like roller coasters. No Flight Attendants At ALL. Everything automated. Maybe one person at the door to load the Pax's. They all take a seat, as per SW and when everyone seated an automated seat belt bolts everyone in and goes from point A to B. Show up at point B. Plane stops, seat belts are lifted and everyone deplanes. Dumb idea, I know, but stranger things have happened.

By the way, I have enjoyed both of your posts on here. Very interesting and so much true from both of your perspectives.

If only I could be 28 years again and find/or feel that I am still marketable. Best of luck to both of you. 🙂

 

[Light Years]

Metro-

I appreciate the kind comments- I think you and I would get along well (you sound like an "airline nerd" like me- thats a good thing!)

I'll buy you a beer on our first layover together (....Virgin USA? )

 

[Kev3188]

Light Years/ Midway--

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here. As a fellow 28 yr. old (also started at 18) "airplane nerd, " I hope you guys are right about things turning around; I'm getting real sick of watching good people walk out the door. :angry: I still like aviation- I can't imagine doing anything else-but it sure as heck isn't as fun as it was even just a few years ago.....

 

[youngblood]

LightYears and MidwayMetroLinK: It wouldn't surprise me if I would ever come back from my grave, to one day see airplanes boarded like roller coasters. No Flight Attendants At ALL. Everything automated. Maybe one person at the door to load the Pax's. They all take a seat, as per SW and when everyone seated an automated seat belt bolts everyone in and goes from point A to B. Show up at point B. Plane stops, seat belts are lifted and everyone deplanes. Dumb idea, I know, but stranger things have happened.

By the way, I have enjoyed both of your posts on here. Very interesting and so much true from both of your perspectives.

If only I could be 28 years again and find/or feel that I am still marketable. Best of luck to both of you. 🙂

No flight attendants, no gate agents, and no ticket agents. I fear the same thing. Everything is becoming automated. Scary thought, isn't it?

Metro, I have to agree with you. There are a lot of dedicated employees in every profession. Unfortunately, the bad apples stand out from the rest. Being mainline, I can attest to the fact that some of my fellow collegues do a poor job with customer service. It not only frustrates me, but makes my job that much more difficult. You and Light Years obviously take your job seriously and I applaud your efforts. Being not much more than "twenty something" I see our generation as somewhat of a failure. I only hope that you all assert your pride in doing a job well and demand as much from others. I see such attempts to correct the "wrongs" as the only means to an end.

 

[youngblood]

Metro-

I appreciate the kind comments- I think you and I would get along well (you sound like an "airine nerd" like me- thats a good thing!)

I'll buy you a beer on our first layover together (....Virgin USA? )

Any chance I could join the party? Young minds think alike - ya know.