Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
US Airways Flight 1549 Flight Attendants Successfully Evacuate All 150 Passengers
US Airways Flight 1549 Flight Attendants Successfully Evacuate All 150 Passengers
Yesterday a US Airways A320 aircraft ditched in the icy waters of the Hudson River minutes after taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft, operating as US Airways Flight 1549, had been en route to Charlotte, NC. The accident happened after bird strikes resulted in a loss of power to both of the aircraft's engines. There were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries among the five crew members and 150 passengers on board.Much attention has been focused on the flight deck crew, and particularly the captain (and rightly so) for what appears to have been a truly remarkable water landing. However, the three flight attendants who immediately carried out the evacuation of all 150 passengers on board also deserve an enormous amount of credit for the excellent outcome of this accident. The flight attendants safely evacuated all on board in less than 90 seconds, after having virtually no warning that the aircraft was about to ditch in the river. Congratulations and praise are definitely in order for these flight attendants who made all of us so very proud!"The flight attendants performed their safety duties in textbook fashion," said Mike Flores, President of the US Airways flight attendants' union. "Their years of experience and training made all the difference once the aircraft was in the water."The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the union that represents the flight attendants of US Airways, will play an official role in the investigation of US Airways Flight 1549 headed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). AFA-CWA will assist federal investigators in gathering information related to the policies and procedures followed during yesterday's emergency evacuation. AFA-CWA will support the NTSB to help determine what happened and identify potential safety improvements to better ensure accident survivability."As the representative of more than 55,000 aviation safety and security professionals, AFA-CWA has played an important role in NTSB investigations for decades," said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. "We once again applaud the professionalism of our US Airways colleagues who demonstrated to the world the essential role flight attendants serve on the aircraft."
Yesterday a US Airways A320 aircraft ditched in the icy waters of the Hudson River minutes after taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft, operating as US Airways Flight 1549, had been en route to Charlotte, NC. The accident happened after bird strikes resulted in a loss of power to both of the aircraft's engines. There were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries among the five crew members and 150 passengers on board.Much attention has been focused on the flight deck crew, and particularly the captain (and rightly so) for what appears to have been a truly remarkable water landing. However, the three flight attendants who immediately carried out the evacuation of all 150 passengers on board also deserve an enormous amount of credit for the excellent outcome of this accident. The flight attendants safely evacuated all on board in less than 90 seconds, after having virtually no warning that the aircraft was about to ditch in the river. Congratulations and praise are definitely in order for these flight attendants who made all of us so very proud!"The flight attendants performed their safety duties in textbook fashion," said Mike Flores, President of the US Airways flight attendants' union. "Their years of experience and training made all the difference once the aircraft was in the water."The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the union that represents the flight attendants of US Airways, will play an official role in the investigation of US Airways Flight 1549 headed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). AFA-CWA will assist federal investigators in gathering information related to the policies and procedures followed during yesterday's emergency evacuation. AFA-CWA will support the NTSB to help determine what happened and identify potential safety improvements to better ensure accident survivability."As the representative of more than 55,000 aviation safety and security professionals, AFA-CWA has played an important role in NTSB investigations for decades," said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. "We once again applaud the professionalism of our US Airways colleagues who demonstrated to the world the essential role flight attendants serve on the aircraft."
US Airways A320 ditches in New York's Hudson River - AircrewBuzz.com, Jan. 15, 2009
To the Captain of US Airways Flight 1549: Way to go, Sully! - ProPilotNews.com, Jan 15. 2009
US Airways identifies the crew of Flight 1549 - AircrewBuzz.com, Jan. 16, 2009
US Airways Flight 1549 Ditching: NTSB Factual Update - AircrewBuzz.com, Jan. 21, 2009
To the Captain of US Airways Flight 1549: Way to go, Sully! - ProPilotNews.com, Jan 15. 2009
US Airways identifies the crew of Flight 1549 - AircrewBuzz.com, Jan. 16, 2009
US Airways Flight 1549 Ditching: NTSB Factual Update - AircrewBuzz.com, Jan. 21, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Interesting statement of a flight attendant
To the Flying Public:
We're sorryWe're sorry we have no pillows.
We're sorry we're out of blankets.
We're sorry the airplane is too cold.
We're sorry the airplane is too hot.
We're sorry the overhead bins are full.
We're sorry we have no closet space for your oversized bag.
We're sorry that’s not the seat you wanted.
We're sorry there’s a restless toddler/overweight/offensive smelling passenger seated next to you.
We're sorry the plane is full and there are no other seats available.
We're sorry you didn't get your upgrade.
We're sorry that guy makes you uncomfortable because he “looks like a terrorist”.
We're sorry there’s a thunderstorm and we can't take off.
We're sorry we don't know when it will stop.
We're sorry you're crammed into a space so small that if you were an animal PETA would protest.
We're sorry our plane has no music or video entertainment for your 3 hour flight.
We're sorry we ran out of your favorite soda.
We're sorry there are no more sandwiches.
We're sorry that Budweiser costs $6.
We're sorry we don't have diapers for your baby.
We're sorry we don't have milk for same baby.
We're sorry you can't hang out by the cockpit door waiting to use the bathroom.
We're sorry you can't hang out at the back of the airplane.
We're sorry you have to sit down and fasten your seatbelt.
We're sorry you have to put your seat up for landing.
We're sorry we don't know when we're going to land.
We're sorry we don't know whether your plane to XYZ will be waiting for you when we land.
We're sorry we've been diverted because we ran out of gas waiting to land.
We're sorry for these and so many other things that we have absolutely no control over but which we are held accountable for EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Please understand.
Flight attendants are not the enemy. We share your space. More than anyone - we want to have a nice, pleasant travel experience.There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do. It may be a FAA directive. It may be security related. It may be a company procedure.We don't just make stuff up. We don't spend 8 weeks at the flight academy learning how to pour a Coke. There are many things that flight attendants are watching for constantly on every flight FOR YOUR SAFETY. It’s not because we're bored or so controlling that we just enjoy telling people what to do. I, for one, would like to have one flight where I didn't have to repeatedly tell people to put their seats up for landing. Seriously. Can't you just do what we ask sometimes? Without the glares, eye rolling and disdain? For the record - putting your seat up for landing may not seem that important to your personal safety. However, it is very important for the person sitting BEHIND YOU. If you have ever tried to get out of a row where someone has their seat back you know it can be a challenge. Try grabbing your ankles (emergency brace position) or getting out of that row quickly with smoke in the cabin. Understand a little better now?Many of the things we ask passengers to comply with are FAA directives. Like carry-on bag stowage and exit row requirements. When we can serve drinks (in the air) and when we can't (after the aircraft door is closed or on an active taxi-way). We are only allowed to move about the cabin during taxi out for safety related duties. We can't get you blankets, or hang coats, or get you drinks. It’s not because we don't want to. It's because we are held personally responsible if we fail to comply with FAA directives. Meaning that the FAA can fine us personally up to $10,000 if we fail to comply or enforce an FAA Directive. Like no bags at the bulkhead. No children in the exit row. No one moving around the cabin during taxi. Perhaps now you know why flight attendants get a little testy when people move about the cabin when they're not supposed to. It’s not the company that gets in trouble for that. It's us.Personally, I wish the airlines would show worst case scenario safety videos. Like what happens if you walk through the cabin during turbulence. There could be a guy who has just fallen and smacked his face on the metal armrest and now has a bloody, gushing broken nose. Or an elderly lady who now has a broken arm because someone walking to the bathroom fell on her.Maybe a passenger with a broken neck becaus e somebody opened an overhead bin during turbulence and a suitcase fell out and onto the person sitting beneath it. These things can easily happen in a fast moving, unstable air environment.Please just trust that we are looking out for your best interest and stop fighting with us about everything we ask you to do. It is exhausting.Finally, please, please direct your hostility and frustrations in the direction where they will be most effective: The customer service department. They are the ones equipped to handle your complaint and implement procedures for CHANGE. Think about it. Complaining to the flight crew about all your negative travel experiences is about the same as complaining to the office janitor because your computer isn't working. It may make you feel better to vent about it - but it really won't fix anything. More than anybody we are already aware of the lack of amenities, food, service and comfort on the aircraft. Please share your concerns with the people in the cubicles at corporate who need that information to make better decisions for the flying public.It's frustrating that so many people are in denial about what the travel industry is about now. The glory days of pillows, blankets, magazines and a hot meal for everyone are long gone. Our job is to get you from point A to point B safely and at the cheapest possible cost to you and the company. So be prepared. If you are hungry - get a sandwich before you get on the plane.If it's a 3 hour flight, anticipate that you may get hungry and bring some snacks. If you are cold natured - bring a wrap. Think for yourself and think ahead. Otherwise, don't complain when you have to pay $3 for a cookie and are left with a crusty blanket to keep you warm.We hear often that the service just isn't what is used to be. Well, the SERVICE we provide now isn't what it used to be. When I was hired, my job was to serve drinks, meals, ensure that safety requirements were met and tend to in-flight medical issues.Since 9/11 my primary job is to ensure that my airplane will not be compromised by a terrorist. 9/11 may be a distant memory now to many, but be assured that EVERY DAY a flight attendant reports to work he or she is constantly thinking about 9/11. We feel a person al responsibility to ensure that something like that never happens again. We can never relax. We can never not be suspicious about someone's intentions. It is difficult to be vigilant and gregarious at the same time. Especially when most of us are working 12 hour days after layovers that only allow 5-6 hours of sleep. Not because we were out partying and having a grand time on the layover - but because the delays that you experience as a passenger also affect us as a crew, so that what was a 10 hour layover is now 8 hours which doesn't leave a lot of time to recover from what has become an increasingly stressful occupation.Despite everything, I still enjoy being a flight attendant.I am writing this letter because I do still care about my profession and about the public perception of flight attendants. In the increasingly challenging travel world it is becoming more imperative than ever for people to just be decent to each other. I can go through an entire day without one person saying anything remotely civil. I will stand at the aircraft door and say hello to everyone who enters and maybe 50% will even look at me and even less will say hello back. I will try to serve someone a meal who can't be bothered to take their headsets off long enough for me to ask them what they want. Most of the time the only conversation a passenger has with me is when they are complaining. Is it any wonder why flight attendants have shut down a bit? After suffering the disdain of hundreds of passengers a day it’s difficult sometimes to even smile, much less interact. We are human. We appreciate the same respect and courtesy that passengers do. The next time you fly, try treating the flight attendants the way you would like to be treated. You may be surprised how friendly your flight crew is when they are treated like people.
author unknown
We're sorryWe're sorry we have no pillows.
We're sorry we're out of blankets.
We're sorry the airplane is too cold.
We're sorry the airplane is too hot.
We're sorry the overhead bins are full.
We're sorry we have no closet space for your oversized bag.
We're sorry that’s not the seat you wanted.
We're sorry there’s a restless toddler/overweight/offensive smelling passenger seated next to you.
We're sorry the plane is full and there are no other seats available.
We're sorry you didn't get your upgrade.
We're sorry that guy makes you uncomfortable because he “looks like a terrorist”.
We're sorry there’s a thunderstorm and we can't take off.
We're sorry we don't know when it will stop.
We're sorry you're crammed into a space so small that if you were an animal PETA would protest.
We're sorry our plane has no music or video entertainment for your 3 hour flight.
We're sorry we ran out of your favorite soda.
We're sorry there are no more sandwiches.
We're sorry that Budweiser costs $6.
We're sorry we don't have diapers for your baby.
We're sorry we don't have milk for same baby.
We're sorry you can't hang out by the cockpit door waiting to use the bathroom.
We're sorry you can't hang out at the back of the airplane.
We're sorry you have to sit down and fasten your seatbelt.
We're sorry you have to put your seat up for landing.
We're sorry we don't know when we're going to land.
We're sorry we don't know whether your plane to XYZ will be waiting for you when we land.
We're sorry we've been diverted because we ran out of gas waiting to land.
We're sorry for these and so many other things that we have absolutely no control over but which we are held accountable for EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Please understand.
Flight attendants are not the enemy. We share your space. More than anyone - we want to have a nice, pleasant travel experience.There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do. It may be a FAA directive. It may be security related. It may be a company procedure.We don't just make stuff up. We don't spend 8 weeks at the flight academy learning how to pour a Coke. There are many things that flight attendants are watching for constantly on every flight FOR YOUR SAFETY. It’s not because we're bored or so controlling that we just enjoy telling people what to do. I, for one, would like to have one flight where I didn't have to repeatedly tell people to put their seats up for landing. Seriously. Can't you just do what we ask sometimes? Without the glares, eye rolling and disdain? For the record - putting your seat up for landing may not seem that important to your personal safety. However, it is very important for the person sitting BEHIND YOU. If you have ever tried to get out of a row where someone has their seat back you know it can be a challenge. Try grabbing your ankles (emergency brace position) or getting out of that row quickly with smoke in the cabin. Understand a little better now?Many of the things we ask passengers to comply with are FAA directives. Like carry-on bag stowage and exit row requirements. When we can serve drinks (in the air) and when we can't (after the aircraft door is closed or on an active taxi-way). We are only allowed to move about the cabin during taxi out for safety related duties. We can't get you blankets, or hang coats, or get you drinks. It’s not because we don't want to. It's because we are held personally responsible if we fail to comply with FAA directives. Meaning that the FAA can fine us personally up to $10,000 if we fail to comply or enforce an FAA Directive. Like no bags at the bulkhead. No children in the exit row. No one moving around the cabin during taxi. Perhaps now you know why flight attendants get a little testy when people move about the cabin when they're not supposed to. It’s not the company that gets in trouble for that. It's us.Personally, I wish the airlines would show worst case scenario safety videos. Like what happens if you walk through the cabin during turbulence. There could be a guy who has just fallen and smacked his face on the metal armrest and now has a bloody, gushing broken nose. Or an elderly lady who now has a broken arm because someone walking to the bathroom fell on her.Maybe a passenger with a broken neck becaus e somebody opened an overhead bin during turbulence and a suitcase fell out and onto the person sitting beneath it. These things can easily happen in a fast moving, unstable air environment.Please just trust that we are looking out for your best interest and stop fighting with us about everything we ask you to do. It is exhausting.Finally, please, please direct your hostility and frustrations in the direction where they will be most effective: The customer service department. They are the ones equipped to handle your complaint and implement procedures for CHANGE. Think about it. Complaining to the flight crew about all your negative travel experiences is about the same as complaining to the office janitor because your computer isn't working. It may make you feel better to vent about it - but it really won't fix anything. More than anybody we are already aware of the lack of amenities, food, service and comfort on the aircraft. Please share your concerns with the people in the cubicles at corporate who need that information to make better decisions for the flying public.It's frustrating that so many people are in denial about what the travel industry is about now. The glory days of pillows, blankets, magazines and a hot meal for everyone are long gone. Our job is to get you from point A to point B safely and at the cheapest possible cost to you and the company. So be prepared. If you are hungry - get a sandwich before you get on the plane.If it's a 3 hour flight, anticipate that you may get hungry and bring some snacks. If you are cold natured - bring a wrap. Think for yourself and think ahead. Otherwise, don't complain when you have to pay $3 for a cookie and are left with a crusty blanket to keep you warm.We hear often that the service just isn't what is used to be. Well, the SERVICE we provide now isn't what it used to be. When I was hired, my job was to serve drinks, meals, ensure that safety requirements were met and tend to in-flight medical issues.Since 9/11 my primary job is to ensure that my airplane will not be compromised by a terrorist. 9/11 may be a distant memory now to many, but be assured that EVERY DAY a flight attendant reports to work he or she is constantly thinking about 9/11. We feel a person al responsibility to ensure that something like that never happens again. We can never relax. We can never not be suspicious about someone's intentions. It is difficult to be vigilant and gregarious at the same time. Especially when most of us are working 12 hour days after layovers that only allow 5-6 hours of sleep. Not because we were out partying and having a grand time on the layover - but because the delays that you experience as a passenger also affect us as a crew, so that what was a 10 hour layover is now 8 hours which doesn't leave a lot of time to recover from what has become an increasingly stressful occupation.Despite everything, I still enjoy being a flight attendant.I am writing this letter because I do still care about my profession and about the public perception of flight attendants. In the increasingly challenging travel world it is becoming more imperative than ever for people to just be decent to each other. I can go through an entire day without one person saying anything remotely civil. I will stand at the aircraft door and say hello to everyone who enters and maybe 50% will even look at me and even less will say hello back. I will try to serve someone a meal who can't be bothered to take their headsets off long enough for me to ask them what they want. Most of the time the only conversation a passenger has with me is when they are complaining. Is it any wonder why flight attendants have shut down a bit? After suffering the disdain of hundreds of passengers a day it’s difficult sometimes to even smile, much less interact. We are human. We appreciate the same respect and courtesy that passengers do. The next time you fly, try treating the flight attendants the way you would like to be treated. You may be surprised how friendly your flight crew is when they are treated like people.
author unknown
This is very interesting as well as being quite fascinating..............
It is a 24 hour observation of all of the large aircraft flights in the world, (recorded by the 'plane flight transponders, via Geo-stationary orbital satellites), patched together and condensed down to about a minute.(viz. what you see is 24 hrs duration compressed into 1 minute)
From space we look like a bee hive of activity.
You could tell it was summer time in the north by the suns foot print over the planet. You could see that it didn't quite set in the extreme north and it didn't quite rise in the extreme south.
I have never seen anything like this before this before.
We are taught about the earths tilt and how it causes summer and winter and have had to imagine just what is going on, now the "tilt" is visible
It is a 24 hour observation of all of the large aircraft flights in the world, (recorded by the 'plane flight transponders, via Geo-stationary orbital satellites), patched together and condensed down to about a minute.(viz. what you see is 24 hrs duration compressed into 1 minute)
From space we look like a bee hive of activity.
You could tell it was summer time in the north by the suns foot print over the planet. You could see that it didn't quite set in the extreme north and it didn't quite rise in the extreme south.
I have never seen anything like this before this before.
We are taught about the earths tilt and how it causes summer and winter and have had to imagine just what is going on, now the "tilt" is visible
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Preferential Bid System Under Attack?
G'day,
Just thought I would write to you regarding a recent newsletter on the FAAA website. The threat to the Preferential Bid System has raised its ugly head once again. Read the newsletter and see what you think.
I have just written a letter to MIchael Mijatov regarding this. Please find it below. If you think the same way as I do then please let your fellow crew members know. If the letter is of any use to you, feel free to take what you like out of it to let Michael Mijatov know how you feel.
Cheers,
John Mumford
email address is johnmumford@tpg.com.au
Dear Michael,
I am writing in reference to your newsletter dated 11 December 2008 and titled Seniority Bid System / Rosters and Rumours.
To say I was surprised and disappointed by your newsletter is an understatement. I found the wording of the newsletter to be inflammatory and misleading.
The subject of the Preferential Bid System, and here I must reinforce the wording the Preferential Bid System and not the Seniority Bid System or Seniority Preferential Bid System as you constantly state, I thought was put to bed after the signing of the EBA 8. How many times does the FAAA need to be told that the majority of the membership wholeheartedly supports the existing system and does not want it to be tampered with in any way. As you know it is the only way that cabin crew can have some sort of control over their lives. To go back, and I emphasise go back, to a so called "fair share" system is giving away the control that most of us have in creating a normal lifestyle.
This is where I must take issue with you specifically regarding paragraph 9, where you state " The FAAA has repeatedly stated its support of the bid system, even though we know that up to 25% of Part 1 crew voted against it in a poll conducted by the FAA late last year,prior to QCCA crew being employed. Bearing in mind that there appears to be an apparent upswing in dissatisfaction with rtosters produced by the seniority bid system for Part 1 crew, the FAAA's stance will always be guided by its membership, as to whether some move from the current system is desired by the majority of our Part 1 members". How leading is this paragraph? The issue here is that almost 80% of respondents to the survey were in favour of maintaining the existing Preferrential Bid System. If this is not a ringing endorsment as to the sentiment of cabin crew then what do you require as proof that the vast majorirty do not want to change, and to float the idea that the membership might want to move from the existing Prefferntial Bid System is mischievous.
Another paragraph that I find misleading, and again mischievous, is paragraph 8. You state "For information of Part 1 crew, it is the Company's intention that all QCCA crew will ultimately work in the A380 group. That by definition means that the QCCA crew will not be in the work pool of Part 1 crew as most are now. The operation of the seniority preferential bid system will mean that at that point, junior Part 1 crew will then be issued with rosters of work that is "left over" after the more senior people have been awarded the more desired trips". We all know that it will be years before the full quota of A380's arrive and in the meantime with the constant Voluntary Redundancy packages and natural attrition there will be a great need to employ more cabin crew. These crew will be QCCA and thus will be required to work not entirely in the A380 sphere of work but in the overall pool of work. This will obviously mean there will be a flushing through effect thus providing Part 1 crew a greater say in regards to their bidding. Economically this is the only common sense approach the Company will take. For you to infer that all is lost for junior Part 1 crew is misleading. This brings me to a point I raised and you reinforced, at the pre EBA 8 meetings, and that is it is in the best long term interests of all crew that we endeavour to increase the conditions of the QCCA crew, and one of these conditions would be the integration of QCCA crew into the bidding system. I wish you would continue along these lines.
In regards to paragraph 11, "If the dissatisfaction with the current seniority bid system continues to grow, the FAAA will be happy to consult with our members in the New Year, to determine if a majority of our members want the FAAA to initiate discussions with Qantas, for some other system", I find this to be amazing. As I stated earlier in my letter there is a confirmed majority of FAAA members who do not want to change from the Preferential Bid System. This I might add is a silent majority, a large group of FAAA members who do not constantly write to you stating how happy they are with the Preferentail Bid System, but I am sure if you attempt to dismantle the existing system it will be a marshalling call for these hundreds of members. I know there are many important issues confronting the FAAA, however I cannot over emphasise the importance that most crew place on this issue and how devisive this could become.
I think the answer to this problem is not to dismantle the Preferential Bid System, but to take a proactive stance. That is to highlight the benefits of the Preferential Bid System. This could be done by employing specialists to run bidding seminars, specifically to improve members bidding potential and also to be used as bidding advisers, as we used to have, in the 2 week bidding window, especially the last week, both at the base and on line. This would help to alleviate members concerns about the integrity of the Preferential Bid System. I understand the FAAA is running classes to assist members with their bidding and this is a step in the right direction.
I do not like writing letters such as this Michael, however I feel it is necessary to let you know the angst being felt amongst members by once again inferring the Preferential Bid System is under threat.
After all this Michael I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for the hard work you do representing cabin crew.
Yours sincerely,
F/A John Mumford
Staff Number 09597
Email address johnmumford@tpg.com.au
Just thought I would write to you regarding a recent newsletter on the FAAA website. The threat to the Preferential Bid System has raised its ugly head once again. Read the newsletter and see what you think.
I have just written a letter to MIchael Mijatov regarding this. Please find it below. If you think the same way as I do then please let your fellow crew members know. If the letter is of any use to you, feel free to take what you like out of it to let Michael Mijatov know how you feel.
Cheers,
John Mumford
email address is johnmumford@tpg.com.au
Dear Michael,
I am writing in reference to your newsletter dated 11 December 2008 and titled Seniority Bid System / Rosters and Rumours.
To say I was surprised and disappointed by your newsletter is an understatement. I found the wording of the newsletter to be inflammatory and misleading.
The subject of the Preferential Bid System, and here I must reinforce the wording the Preferential Bid System and not the Seniority Bid System or Seniority Preferential Bid System as you constantly state, I thought was put to bed after the signing of the EBA 8. How many times does the FAAA need to be told that the majority of the membership wholeheartedly supports the existing system and does not want it to be tampered with in any way. As you know it is the only way that cabin crew can have some sort of control over their lives. To go back, and I emphasise go back, to a so called "fair share" system is giving away the control that most of us have in creating a normal lifestyle.
This is where I must take issue with you specifically regarding paragraph 9, where you state " The FAAA has repeatedly stated its support of the bid system, even though we know that up to 25% of Part 1 crew voted against it in a poll conducted by the FAA late last year,prior to QCCA crew being employed. Bearing in mind that there appears to be an apparent upswing in dissatisfaction with rtosters produced by the seniority bid system for Part 1 crew, the FAAA's stance will always be guided by its membership, as to whether some move from the current system is desired by the majority of our Part 1 members". How leading is this paragraph? The issue here is that almost 80% of respondents to the survey were in favour of maintaining the existing Preferrential Bid System. If this is not a ringing endorsment as to the sentiment of cabin crew then what do you require as proof that the vast majorirty do not want to change, and to float the idea that the membership might want to move from the existing Prefferntial Bid System is mischievous.
Another paragraph that I find misleading, and again mischievous, is paragraph 8. You state "For information of Part 1 crew, it is the Company's intention that all QCCA crew will ultimately work in the A380 group. That by definition means that the QCCA crew will not be in the work pool of Part 1 crew as most are now. The operation of the seniority preferential bid system will mean that at that point, junior Part 1 crew will then be issued with rosters of work that is "left over" after the more senior people have been awarded the more desired trips". We all know that it will be years before the full quota of A380's arrive and in the meantime with the constant Voluntary Redundancy packages and natural attrition there will be a great need to employ more cabin crew. These crew will be QCCA and thus will be required to work not entirely in the A380 sphere of work but in the overall pool of work. This will obviously mean there will be a flushing through effect thus providing Part 1 crew a greater say in regards to their bidding. Economically this is the only common sense approach the Company will take. For you to infer that all is lost for junior Part 1 crew is misleading. This brings me to a point I raised and you reinforced, at the pre EBA 8 meetings, and that is it is in the best long term interests of all crew that we endeavour to increase the conditions of the QCCA crew, and one of these conditions would be the integration of QCCA crew into the bidding system. I wish you would continue along these lines.
In regards to paragraph 11, "If the dissatisfaction with the current seniority bid system continues to grow, the FAAA will be happy to consult with our members in the New Year, to determine if a majority of our members want the FAAA to initiate discussions with Qantas, for some other system", I find this to be amazing. As I stated earlier in my letter there is a confirmed majority of FAAA members who do not want to change from the Preferential Bid System. This I might add is a silent majority, a large group of FAAA members who do not constantly write to you stating how happy they are with the Preferentail Bid System, but I am sure if you attempt to dismantle the existing system it will be a marshalling call for these hundreds of members. I know there are many important issues confronting the FAAA, however I cannot over emphasise the importance that most crew place on this issue and how devisive this could become.
I think the answer to this problem is not to dismantle the Preferential Bid System, but to take a proactive stance. That is to highlight the benefits of the Preferential Bid System. This could be done by employing specialists to run bidding seminars, specifically to improve members bidding potential and also to be used as bidding advisers, as we used to have, in the 2 week bidding window, especially the last week, both at the base and on line. This would help to alleviate members concerns about the integrity of the Preferential Bid System. I understand the FAAA is running classes to assist members with their bidding and this is a step in the right direction.
I do not like writing letters such as this Michael, however I feel it is necessary to let you know the angst being felt amongst members by once again inferring the Preferential Bid System is under threat.
After all this Michael I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for the hard work you do representing cabin crew.
Yours sincerely,
F/A John Mumford
Staff Number 09597
Email address johnmumford@tpg.com.au
Cal Loton
Received from Ed Ronsisvalle
Cal Loton who is now 74 suffered a stroke in 1994 while living on Magnetic Island. He is now back in Sydney at;
Manly Vale Nursing Home corner of Condamine and Gordon Street Manly Vale and welcomes any visitors.
For visiting hours call 99491911
Ed
Cal Loton who is now 74 suffered a stroke in 1994 while living on Magnetic Island. He is now back in Sydney at;
Manly Vale Nursing Home corner of Condamine and Gordon Street Manly Vale and welcomes any visitors.
For visiting hours call 99491911
Ed
Monday, January 5, 2009
Connexion Con?
Qantas Staff Survey
A Qantas Staff Survey is being randomly distributed to employees.It is cleverly disguised as an invitation to join an employee panel.It is called "Connexion"It is a con.Go to the website and answer a brief questionaire and then setup a login.Anyone...repeat.... anyone..... can set up this login.You do not need an invitation nor do you need to a be a Qantas employee.You will be included in any and all surveys deliverd by Vision Critical a marketing survey company.Rather than just be upfront and honest and call it a staff survey Borghetti is calling it an employee panel by invitation.Your details are supposed to be kept confidential and will not be used for punitive purposes.Ask some questions before you get involved.
More: http://www.pprune.org/d-g-reporting-points/353078-qantas-staff-survey.html
A Qantas Staff Survey is being randomly distributed to employees.It is cleverly disguised as an invitation to join an employee panel.It is called "Connexion"It is a con.Go to the website and answer a brief questionaire and then setup a login.Anyone...repeat.... anyone..... can set up this login.You do not need an invitation nor do you need to a be a Qantas employee.You will be included in any and all surveys deliverd by Vision Critical a marketing survey company.Rather than just be upfront and honest and call it a staff survey Borghetti is calling it an employee panel by invitation.Your details are supposed to be kept confidential and will not be used for punitive purposes.Ask some questions before you get involved.
More: http://www.pprune.org/d-g-reporting-points/353078-qantas-staff-survey.html
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