450knotOffice

No kidding, Andrew. I've worked here for more than 3 years, and suffered Eagle for many many years prior. I've always been treated well by every scheduler I've interacted with, in stark contrast to so many at AE, btw. Somehow my life doesn't suck nearly as bad as so many who come on here complaining, and I'm not sure why.

Hueypilot

I generally hold a line so I typically don't have to speak to scheduling very often, but not long ago we wound up in Recovery and were sent back through DCA and landed there late at night. We had no hotel rooms booked anywhere and I called Crew Tracking and it was a very painful experience...their argument was that we were DCA based and therefore didn't get rooms (it was past midnight at this point, and both of are commuters). It wasn't until I told them that both of us were going to call fatigued and go home that they finally gave us rooms...but there was plenty of huffing and eye-rolling on the other end of the phone over it.

On the flip side, the couple times I've dealt with them outside of that, they've been courteous but I still chuckle whenever they call me "hello First Officer _____" when the Airways schedulers would just call me by my first name. Felt like I was back in the military again. I have had friends that have had bad run-ins with scheduling, including one time where they were hung up on.

And from my perspective, life doesn't "suck", but I think there's a lot we can improve on.

450knotOffice

You do realize that calling a person by their last name is old school courtesy, right? It's considered polite and proper.

I personally know two old men who were OFFENDED when people who were not in their personal circle called them by their first name. And I mean personally offended and angry.
Maybe - probably - the company is simply trying to keep it professional.
Personally, I'd be a little weirded out if somebody I'd never met called me by first name on the phone.

Hueypilot

I guess I just don't get offended by stuff like that. Some people get wrapped up in their titles and whatnot, but I don't. Just my observations that the schedulers at AA seem a little less personable than the schedulers at US Airways.

7576FO

I've always had great interactions with CS. Humor helps. Occasionally i'll talk with someone who's in a hurry, frazzled or they screw up the proffer. But traditionally CS has been "formal-distant" because the old school guys want this to be the Air Force. We still have guys with Green Ready Bags.

I was FOR this merger! And am glad to see new blood here. But Hey USAir YOU ARE IN THE AIR FORCE NOW!

I'm nice patient and polite. Yes, I've always thought it's weird they call you CA __ or FO____

I've always been foul when I speak of LAA vacation.

In the past our RSV days at beginning of month were never G's. Now you have a golden tool. You used to be on reserve for long stretches of days.

I have seen Numerous improvements to the AA RSV system that we never had.
When they implement the rest of the contract (magic 8 ball tell me when) some things will improve more.

Yes I complain about some things. But I've come to accept AAForce WAAy

swaayze

This, but more likely they simply don't want to make the extra entry required to see your first name. The list probably only has the first and middle initial and last name (a la the HI33) - mine is "CA Swaayze" so I often first get "Hi Captain Swaayze" though I'm really just the World's Greatest FO.

Hueypilot

I get that AA has their culture. Just stating some observations and I'll clarify that life isn't horrible. But what's the harm in mentioning a few things that, at last to me, seemed "better" at the old airline?

Ironically, I've been in the military (Army Guard, active Air Force and AF Reserves) for 25 years now. I guess I just enjoyed an atmosphere that wasn't trying to be the military.

Arado 234

Seriously? This doesn't sound like a major airline operation. More like a abusive regional.

I had to call scheduling three weeks ago and got put on hold for fifteen minutes, before I was told that they didn't have the time to help me.

I flew a couple of out of base trips and many many times the phrase "we do this at (old) LAA" (or similar) was constantly repeated (additional stuff that's non-SOP). Not wanting to start a "my airline is better than yours" p!$$ing thread, but some LAA pilots need to have a look outside their box! Life has evolved!

7576FO

Know your audience. I'm Ex Reno Air. Even Reno had some better items than AA.
Yes, My complaint all along has been the AF (Air Force) guys that have never flown for any other airline. They just accept things. In the past the contract comparisons were so brief they were not helpful. AA has a habit of NOT asking the POI for things that UAL has.

The fine points operationally were "Grab and Go" that Doug got advice form UAL/CAL people that told him adapt the merged airline to the larger airlines way of doing things.

As a LAA guy I think we get WAY more info from all Dept's at this company. Ex: CS puts out a 15 pager brief at the front of the monthly bid package.
The CP's put out more info. Mgmt puts out more info.
The Hotel committee is now putting out tons of info and upgrades.

Things are way better than they used to be at AA.

Back to this thread. Advice to American Applicants. This is a good place to work. It will get better on next contract.

My advice to American Applicants: DO not commute.
I have always moved to base.

Back to the intent of this thread Advice to American Applicants...Ask away!

andrewtac

Why assume the guy on the other end is lazy? I assumed it was respectful. Maybe I am to much of an optimist. I thought it was a cultural thing. I still call people by their last name as a sign of respect.

Ditto the above post, move to base as commuting sucks. Even though life has gotten better, my buddies on SC in base have it even better.