1. Monthly D.O.T. numbers: The monthly airline statistics were released this week for the fourteen major carriers. American finished no higher than ninth out of fourteen in any of the categories tracked by the Department Of Transportation (D.O.T.). In on time dependability AA was ninth out of fourteen; Amount of flights cancelled, AA was twelfth out of fourteen; Baggage mishandlings, AA was eleventh of fourteen; and in customer complaints AA was twelfth of fourteen carriers. The lower the number the better your doing. While the company continues to put up solid financial numbers, they need to do something about their poor performance numbers. For us, it's a simple fix. Additional headcount would go a long way in improving their performance numbers, yet they would rather focus on making their budgetary goals rather than provide the service that will keep happy customers coming back. Please click on the links below for the D.O.T. statistics.
2. Labor trouble at Southwest: Southwest Airlines reported record first-quarter earnings this year. It earned $453 million in the three months ended March 31.That topped the Dallas carrier’s previous record, set last year, of $152 million, by nearly three times. In addition to record profits, they announced a 1.5 billion dollar stock buy back program this week to enhance shareholder value. All of this good financial news comes at a time they are negotiating new contracts with their Pilots and their Fleet Service Clerks (T.W.U. Local 555). Both groups showed their displeasure with the lack of progress on new deals this week in separate ways. The Fleet Service employees picketed the annual shareholder's meeting and the Pilots activated their strike fund. Please click on the links below for more information.
3. 737 help/Support: This week we heard that the company is filling gate holes from support, thus leaving support short handed to send help to the 737 trips as needed. If this is true, please call me, text me, email me with the flight number, date time, load weight and any other stats that will help us keep track of this issue. It will be addressed with the company with the proper facts to back up those claims.
4. New Hologram/Badge Update: It's been about a month since the hologram and badge renewal procedure started and there have been some challenges. Very long renewal times and issues with employees names not matching exactly are two of the biggest issues we've heard. The company has outlined the timeline to follow; please follow it. The form for hologram (CBP 3078)has to be completed no later than 14 days before your badge expires. If you do not follow the timeline and are not able to get your badge and hologram renewed before they expire you will not be able to work until they are approved. Pay attention to the time limits prescribed in this new policy and do what you can to abide by them.