God bless the 50 people who lost their lives in the Buffalo, New York crash.
As aviation professionals these scenes are especially unnerving because of our particular closeness to the industry. The news media attempts to immediately diagnose the reason and scope their rivals, bringing nothing to the table of information. Instead, facts are normally misrepresented and the public is seriously misinformed. When the true information is credibly obtained the media has lost interest and the story is lost deep in a news cast or middle of the paper.
As technicians we are concerned for the lives that have been altered and bind together to make sure that this does not happen again to the best of our ability. The unfortunate fact is that is takes a serious and drastic mishaps like this to increase the government and aviation industry vigilance and that is a tragedy.
The blame game begins with the NTSB already hiding under the "we told you that deicing with a pneumatic system was dangerous" clause. This is unacceptable, but possibly not the fault of the NTSB because the news media is regurgitating some old chewed up message. But as a government agency they should have the ability to act more responsible when lives are at stake and not suggest items that can be detrimental to life.
As professionals we await the true reason of this tragic accident and will act accordingly to avoid this in the future. It has been a very up and down time in our profession with a flight crew having the ability to save 155 lives and act flawlessly during an emergency. And now 50 lives lost for reasons to be determined. Responsibly, it is our duty to remain vigilant to items in our industry that may have caused this, but to await a comprehensive report to truly correct what went wrong.
WM
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Honesty in our Business
We are in new waters within the airline industry and have to adjust to the economy business pressures within our field. American Airlines is quietly continuing business and attempting to move forward with their plan as if nothing is happening in America's economy; a concept that we all know is not the case
While this is a noble idea for the airline it is also unnerving for those who return to aircraft maintenance, especially those who have left jobs to return.
As fathers and mothers we ask the airline to be responsible when recalling persons to work and not hide behind union restriction ex cusses. Do not recall persons with cardinal knowledge that this is very temporary in the grand scheme.
The TWU union is also at fault if it does not speak frankly and plainly to those members returning from layoff or those attempting to hire in at the bottom levels. Don't be blinded by the new member more premiums and better statistics that make your managers feel warm and fuzzy.
We are experiencing extremely difficult times and one way to return faith to the rank and file individuals is honesty.
It is much like the mortgage issues we face currently. The lender is at fault because of pure greed and the lendy is wrong because he wants what he can't afford. Honesty is harsh and sometimes cruel, but it is much easier to get over someone telling you no now rather then okay today and then no tomorrow after you have changed your life.
WM
While this is a noble idea for the airline it is also unnerving for those who return to aircraft maintenance, especially those who have left jobs to return.
As fathers and mothers we ask the airline to be responsible when recalling persons to work and not hide behind union restriction ex cusses. Do not recall persons with cardinal knowledge that this is very temporary in the grand scheme.
The TWU union is also at fault if it does not speak frankly and plainly to those members returning from layoff or those attempting to hire in at the bottom levels. Don't be blinded by the new member more premiums and better statistics that make your managers feel warm and fuzzy.
We are experiencing extremely difficult times and one way to return faith to the rank and file individuals is honesty.
It is much like the mortgage issues we face currently. The lender is at fault because of pure greed and the lendy is wrong because he wants what he can't afford. Honesty is harsh and sometimes cruel, but it is much easier to get over someone telling you no now rather then okay today and then no tomorrow after you have changed your life.
WM
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Contract Extension Collapse
One of my main reasons for starting my blog was to address the upcoming company negotiations with the TWU representing the AMT’s of American Airlines.
While I’ll try to keep my comments neutral and constructive you will hear a number of rants that might be more personal than actual. All I can say is it’s my blog and I can cry if I want to.
A recent event has occurred between the Airline and TWU that was viewed nonaligned by many technicians. The company has all three major work group’s contractual agreements requiring renegotiation at approximately the same time and placing a burden on their management to complete these tasks quickly.
American approached the TWU for an agreed extension of the current contract to relieve some of the pressure on the company. Some incentives were to be offered for our arrangement and moving us all forward to continue to build the airline.
The extension collapsed and we our entering our normal contract time schedule. The exchange of incentives were not (nor never will be) revealed, but the opportunity of agreement was lost and so it appears any chance of goodwill.
American has lost sight of the workgroup that is a revenue generating business and wants its AMT’s to continue to sacrifice for incomprehensible reasons.
I can respect the company’s position when the numbers prove its communication. In this instance it is not the case. Management made the mistake of taking pay from their stock options when they new the difficulty it would face from its unions.
I expect a very difficult contract negotiation and the TWU will not forget the payout. It appears that management wants us to do as it says but will not practice what it preaches. And that is American wants to use the signature saying of share the pain and share the gain; only not this time.
W.M.
While I’ll try to keep my comments neutral and constructive you will hear a number of rants that might be more personal than actual. All I can say is it’s my blog and I can cry if I want to.
A recent event has occurred between the Airline and TWU that was viewed nonaligned by many technicians. The company has all three major work group’s contractual agreements requiring renegotiation at approximately the same time and placing a burden on their management to complete these tasks quickly.
American approached the TWU for an agreed extension of the current contract to relieve some of the pressure on the company. Some incentives were to be offered for our arrangement and moving us all forward to continue to build the airline.
The extension collapsed and we our entering our normal contract time schedule. The exchange of incentives were not (nor never will be) revealed, but the opportunity of agreement was lost and so it appears any chance of goodwill.
American has lost sight of the workgroup that is a revenue generating business and wants its AMT’s to continue to sacrifice for incomprehensible reasons.
I can respect the company’s position when the numbers prove its communication. In this instance it is not the case. Management made the mistake of taking pay from their stock options when they new the difficulty it would face from its unions.
I expect a very difficult contract negotiation and the TWU will not forget the payout. It appears that management wants us to do as it says but will not practice what it preaches. And that is American wants to use the signature saying of share the pain and share the gain; only not this time.
W.M.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Support AMT Day Write your Rep and Senator.
July 31, 2007
2304 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC. 20515
The Honorable Congressman
Dennis Hastert
Congressman Hastert:
As a citizen in the 14th district of Illinois and a proud Airframe and Power Plant Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) with American Airlines, I am requesting your support in conjunction with Congressman Bob Filner to a bill that is extremely important to my profession.
Bill #444, U.S. National Aviation Maintenance Technicians Recognition Day, when passed into law would designate May 24th as a day of acknowledgment to diligent, hard working, extremely skilled professional Aviation Maintenance Technicians.
It is important to understand, Congressman, that AMT’s are frontline employees in a cyclical business continually following the Federal Aviation Regulations and manufacture criteria keeping aircraft airworthy and safe for the flying public to reach their destinations. We complete this effort 24 hours daily, ignoring weather, holidays, weekends or luxuries many others experience.
I ask for your support in this effort, because what once was a very proud profession has been damaged by complacent thinking and public unawareness to the educational and skill requirements in developing into an AMT. The responsibility is tremendous when we service and repair aircraft, all done in a timely manner to provide our customers with safe reliable transportation.
Supporting this bill offers reason in keeping aircraft technical work within the United States providing pause for airlines outsourcing our valuable skill. While it is the airlines responsibility to make prudent business decisions, it is U.S. AMT’s responsibility to prove we are the sound reliable choice to their maintenance needs and a day of recognition only solidifies this cause.
This Law will clarify to the nation that our effort, dedication, and labor provides value to a dynamic aviation business. Please support this import piece of legislature and vote YES when the time comes. AMT’s throughout Illinois’s district 14 are counting on your support for our day.
Sincerely,
WM
2304 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC. 20515
The Honorable Congressman
Dennis Hastert
Congressman Hastert:
As a citizen in the 14th district of Illinois and a proud Airframe and Power Plant Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) with American Airlines, I am requesting your support in conjunction with Congressman Bob Filner to a bill that is extremely important to my profession.
Bill #444, U.S. National Aviation Maintenance Technicians Recognition Day, when passed into law would designate May 24th as a day of acknowledgment to diligent, hard working, extremely skilled professional Aviation Maintenance Technicians.
It is important to understand, Congressman, that AMT’s are frontline employees in a cyclical business continually following the Federal Aviation Regulations and manufacture criteria keeping aircraft airworthy and safe for the flying public to reach their destinations. We complete this effort 24 hours daily, ignoring weather, holidays, weekends or luxuries many others experience.
I ask for your support in this effort, because what once was a very proud profession has been damaged by complacent thinking and public unawareness to the educational and skill requirements in developing into an AMT. The responsibility is tremendous when we service and repair aircraft, all done in a timely manner to provide our customers with safe reliable transportation.
Supporting this bill offers reason in keeping aircraft technical work within the United States providing pause for airlines outsourcing our valuable skill. While it is the airlines responsibility to make prudent business decisions, it is U.S. AMT’s responsibility to prove we are the sound reliable choice to their maintenance needs and a day of recognition only solidifies this cause.
This Law will clarify to the nation that our effort, dedication, and labor provides value to a dynamic aviation business. Please support this import piece of legislature and vote YES when the time comes. AMT’s throughout Illinois’s district 14 are counting on your support for our day.
Sincerely,
WM
Friday, July 20, 2007
New Addition
I haven't had a chance to write and it may be a little while before I can get back, but I have a great reason.
Help us welcome our new little girl Jordan. Mom and baby are doing excellent and we are adapting well.
WM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
MD-80 Rudder Damage
On June 27th a United 777 taxied into an American MD-80 at ORD. Here is the outcome:
777 one MD-80 zero
WM
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