Gaslighting Theory - Really?
06-26-2024, 08:54 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Lineholder
Posts: 1,425
Gaslighting Theory - Really?
So we all see that mgt/ownership is tanking (despite the public emails/speeches to the opposite). We all have wondered why (and may have our own theories). Honestly, it's not as important as ensuring we (pilot group) all know about it and don't let it affect the way we vote this contract cycle. Their propoganda is strong and it continues to pit work group vs. work group. Now, apparently, we are being "encouraged" to wear costume pieces when greeting passengers at the door? (I often wonder how that would be accepted at Delta or British Airways if the VP of Flt Ops sent out a memo asking their pilot group to don a mask or big fuzzy finger saying "We're # 1" while waving to passengers as they disembark).
And, I'm sure many of us have noticed the somewhat increased emphasis in being on time. This is almost as insulting as the bear hand suggestion. Really? We can't find a way to be on time after all this time? It's the pilot fault - they need a memo to encourage others? And the memo states that passenger boarding begins at 40 minutes prior (45 for head start) - then later in the memo it states to be at the gate an hour prior (45 minutes at out station) to meet w/ the gate agent. It goes on to state that IF BOARDING HAS ALREADY BEEN INITIATED, don't forget to brief the FAs. Really? If the memo states board at 40 minutes, why would there need to be a FA brief reminder if boarding starts earlier than that? I asked a gate agent in LGA what time they were told to board and she told me 50 mins prior but they board as early as possible because they are paid an incentive to be on-time. Which leads to FAs complaining about not being able to get food on turns as passengers are being staged as early as an hour prior (usually standing in a hot jet bridge btw) - workgroup vs. workgroup.
We got a memo stating how to better prepare for flights w/ a broken APU - to make sure you discuss this w/ the ground crew at eariest opportunity to avoid delays for air cart starts. Really? That's the pilot jobs now - to ensure Mx has all the ground equipment in place in a timely manner (because the in-range report that STATES that was ignored)? Just about every station you go to while flying an APU Inop bird is met w/ surprise that the APU is inop. What is dispatch doing? And, why is there an in-range report anyway? Dispatch is supposed to be watching the flight, no? The information about the # of wheelchairs was obtained at the previous station (and is logged in the system). When you jumpseat on AA or UA of DL, do THEY have to send in-range reports (or is their gate info sent to them via ACARS automatically)? FC view can notify me when the plane I'm about to fly has landed, is taxing and to what gate. But station ops can't answer the radio and/or doesn't know?
Latest stats show us at about 50% on time for the year. That's like failing at a test that you write yourself. WE control the out/turn times. WE could choose to have in-house gate agents and Mx and ground crews and wheelchair pushers. WE could control all the aspects of pre-flight, boarding and post flight but we sub it out (at a discount) to groups that have horrible track records of attendance and punctuality. Someone did a study on the cost for fuel and pay for delays that extend past block - most of the time a 15 minute delay would pay for an additional ground crew worker (making $20/hour) for a whole day. And I wouldn't be surprised that we have AT LEAST 1 delay somewhere every single day. WE make stupid decisions like trying to board from both the front and back doors at cold weather bases or going to mostly turns when we don't have the gates to support that model. A ground crew has already dinged a wingtip with an air stairs in Denver - how much did that cost? Meanwhile, SWA is leaving IAH and a slew of gates that would be ideal for front and back boarding/deplaning - I wonder if we'll get in on that sweepstakes. We could have electronic mx logs that would update in microseconds (instead of the 10-15 minutes it takes now while station Mx sends a picture of the log page to central Mx and waits for the RTS). Oh yeah, there was a pilot memo about that too.
Management by memo - I suppose they'll just keep flowing. Do better pilot group. Work harder. Be more encouraging. We're not saying it's your fault but . . . well just be better. Smile more (like BB). Or, as BL put it, "taking a leadership role in communicating when things get behind, asking the hard but professional questions which need to be asked, and understanding ways to motivate our teams to move the aircraft safely and efficientatly are the hallmarks of our pilot group." And don't forget to wear a big fuzzy bear paw while you talk to them AND in the flight deck door as you apologize to the passengers for waiting on the tarmac for an hour for a gate.
It's been reported that Barry made $8.5M last year (2023) - and that's WITH a tanking stock. I will admit that LIDO has gotten much better w/ the latest update - I guess he's worth it.
https://www1.salary.com/Barry-L-Biff...-hold-inc.html
Just poking a little fun.
In all seriousness, we as a pilot group have a pretty good safety history despite all the traps and situations that are built into our flying. We're a good group - let's stay resilient both in the skies and when it comes time to vote.
And, I'm sure many of us have noticed the somewhat increased emphasis in being on time. This is almost as insulting as the bear hand suggestion. Really? We can't find a way to be on time after all this time? It's the pilot fault - they need a memo to encourage others? And the memo states that passenger boarding begins at 40 minutes prior (45 for head start) - then later in the memo it states to be at the gate an hour prior (45 minutes at out station) to meet w/ the gate agent. It goes on to state that IF BOARDING HAS ALREADY BEEN INITIATED, don't forget to brief the FAs. Really? If the memo states board at 40 minutes, why would there need to be a FA brief reminder if boarding starts earlier than that? I asked a gate agent in LGA what time they were told to board and she told me 50 mins prior but they board as early as possible because they are paid an incentive to be on-time. Which leads to FAs complaining about not being able to get food on turns as passengers are being staged as early as an hour prior (usually standing in a hot jet bridge btw) - workgroup vs. workgroup.
We got a memo stating how to better prepare for flights w/ a broken APU - to make sure you discuss this w/ the ground crew at eariest opportunity to avoid delays for air cart starts. Really? That's the pilot jobs now - to ensure Mx has all the ground equipment in place in a timely manner (because the in-range report that STATES that was ignored)? Just about every station you go to while flying an APU Inop bird is met w/ surprise that the APU is inop. What is dispatch doing? And, why is there an in-range report anyway? Dispatch is supposed to be watching the flight, no? The information about the # of wheelchairs was obtained at the previous station (and is logged in the system). When you jumpseat on AA or UA of DL, do THEY have to send in-range reports (or is their gate info sent to them via ACARS automatically)? FC view can notify me when the plane I'm about to fly has landed, is taxing and to what gate. But station ops can't answer the radio and/or doesn't know?
Latest stats show us at about 50% on time for the year. That's like failing at a test that you write yourself. WE control the out/turn times. WE could choose to have in-house gate agents and Mx and ground crews and wheelchair pushers. WE could control all the aspects of pre-flight, boarding and post flight but we sub it out (at a discount) to groups that have horrible track records of attendance and punctuality. Someone did a study on the cost for fuel and pay for delays that extend past block - most of the time a 15 minute delay would pay for an additional ground crew worker (making $20/hour) for a whole day. And I wouldn't be surprised that we have AT LEAST 1 delay somewhere every single day. WE make stupid decisions like trying to board from both the front and back doors at cold weather bases or going to mostly turns when we don't have the gates to support that model. A ground crew has already dinged a wingtip with an air stairs in Denver - how much did that cost? Meanwhile, SWA is leaving IAH and a slew of gates that would be ideal for front and back boarding/deplaning - I wonder if we'll get in on that sweepstakes. We could have electronic mx logs that would update in microseconds (instead of the 10-15 minutes it takes now while station Mx sends a picture of the log page to central Mx and waits for the RTS). Oh yeah, there was a pilot memo about that too.
Management by memo - I suppose they'll just keep flowing. Do better pilot group. Work harder. Be more encouraging. We're not saying it's your fault but . . . well just be better. Smile more (like BB). Or, as BL put it, "taking a leadership role in communicating when things get behind, asking the hard but professional questions which need to be asked, and understanding ways to motivate our teams to move the aircraft safely and efficientatly are the hallmarks of our pilot group." And don't forget to wear a big fuzzy bear paw while you talk to them AND in the flight deck door as you apologize to the passengers for waiting on the tarmac for an hour for a gate.
It's been reported that Barry made $8.5M last year (2023) - and that's WITH a tanking stock. I will admit that LIDO has gotten much better w/ the latest update - I guess he's worth it.
https://www1.salary.com/Barry-L-Biff...-hold-inc.html
Just poking a little fun.
In all seriousness, we as a pilot group have a pretty good safety history despite all the traps and situations that are built into our flying. We're a good group - let's stay resilient both in the skies and when it comes time to vote.
06-26-2024, 09:22 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2021
Position: Joystick Operator
Posts: 885
Sounds like we need to stay in our lane. If they want us to do all this extra stuff, then pay us like we should be doing it.
It isn't my job to teach rampers about what a GPU is. (true story, no one knew, not even the supervisor)
I am starting to ASAP a LOT of stuff, every time ops doesn't respond is the most common. Hell, when visiting ATL, you get a phone number to call since their radio doesn't reach the whole airport and they expect you to break sterile or put the parking brake on to get in touch with someone.
It isn't my job to teach rampers about what a GPU is. (true story, no one knew, not even the supervisor)
I am starting to ASAP a LOT of stuff, every time ops doesn't respond is the most common. Hell, when visiting ATL, you get a phone number to call since their radio doesn't reach the whole airport and they expect you to break sterile or put the parking brake on to get in touch with someone.
06-26-2024, 11:58 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,305
Excellent post by Dracir
regarding ASAPS, remember to articulate the safety nexus and FAA / FAR nexus. "not required" but gives it much more gunpowder in the bag.
No ops radio becomes an inability to communicate critical safety information to the station, such as medical events, security issues, maintenance issues, in a prompt and timely manner.
rampers who dont know what a [insert piece of equipment] is, increase the risk of hazards, fire, OSHA violations, and increased liability ($$) to the company
etc etc ad nauseum
(yes, I submit ASAPs frequently)
regarding ASAPS, remember to articulate the safety nexus and FAA / FAR nexus. "not required" but gives it much more gunpowder in the bag.
No ops radio becomes an inability to communicate critical safety information to the station, such as medical events, security issues, maintenance issues, in a prompt and timely manner.
rampers who dont know what a [insert piece of equipment] is, increase the risk of hazards, fire, OSHA violations, and increased liability ($$) to the company
etc etc ad nauseum
(yes, I submit ASAPs frequently)
06-26-2024, 12:08 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: seated - facing forward
Posts: 1,061
[QUOTE=hercretired;3814816]Excellent post by Dracir
Now, apparently, we are being "encouraged" to wear costume pieces when greeting passengers at the door?
“ Hello Jimmy , have you ever been in the cockpit before ? Have you ever seen a grown bear naked in the woods ?”
Now, apparently, we are being "encouraged" to wear costume pieces when greeting passengers at the door?
“ Hello Jimmy , have you ever been in the cockpit before ? Have you ever seen a grown bear naked in the woods ?”
06-26-2024, 03:26 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 673
Sounds like we need to stay in our lane. If they want us to do all this extra stuff, then pay us like we should be doing it.
It isn't my job to teach rampers about what a GPU is. (true story, no one knew, not even the supervisor)
I am starting to ASAP a LOT of stuff, every time ops doesn't respond is the most common. Hell, when visiting ATL, you get a phone number to call since their radio doesn't reach the whole airport and they expect you to break sterile or put the parking brake on to get in touch with someone.
It isn't my job to teach rampers about what a GPU is. (true story, no one knew, not even the supervisor)
I am starting to ASAP a LOT of stuff, every time ops doesn't respond is the most common. Hell, when visiting ATL, you get a phone number to call since their radio doesn't reach the whole airport and they expect you to break sterile or put the parking brake on to get in touch with someone.
06-26-2024, 11:12 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Lineholder
Posts: 1,425
Perhaps you're right...Until you notice pilots picking up open time, chasing Mx around to tell them about the need for a huffer cart, helping ground crews with strollers.
If we don't act with angst, there won't be any change. This is how we ended up w/ a contract that was last in pay rates last go around.
If we don't act with angst, there won't be any change. This is how we ended up w/ a contract that was last in pay rates last go around.
06-30-2024, 02:33 PM
#9
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 21
You could also say it's self preservation. Some of us are here for life and would like for this place to remain in business regardless of how bad BB and BL try to derail the operation by saving a penny. Also, I do feel bad for the traveling public. That doesnt mean we go above everything and allow the company to steam roll the pilot group, but some of the things we can control once we take owndership of that flight. Helping them hook the air start cart, making sure MX finishes everything so we can push, etc.
06-30-2024, 03:19 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Lineholder
Posts: 1,425
You could also say it's self preservation. Some of us are here for life and would like for this place to remain in business regardless of how bad BB and BL try to derail the operation by saving a penny. Also, I do feel bad for the traveling public. That doesnt mean we go above everything and allow the company to steam roll the pilot group, but some of the things we can control once we take owndership of that flight. Helping them hook the air start cart, making sure MX finishes everything so we can push, etc.
But let me ask you a question or several - don't you feel insulted about the whole ordeal? Carrying the organization at times. Doing other people's jobs. Making announcements where it make all of us (and you know the public blames the pilots) look incompetent. And doing it all for thousands less?
Not being able to leave is a consequence we can't control - we all chose this profession knowing all about seniority. But what about those issues that we can affect? What about influencing improvement via allowing it to fail in areas (to force change)? What about encouraging the operation to change its long term goals (say from mostly turns to a more traditional dispersement of trips) by doing only what the CBA requires? Why isn't it prudent to "starve" the operation of our abilities (that are above and beyond flying safely) to force a better situation? If true self-preservation is at hand, wouldn't it make the most sense to think long term and suggest that a smarther/healthier F9 in 2026+ is the goal? Isn't it a win-win situation to get worse so we can get better?
If I'm way off on trying to improve that way, then what other way is better?
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