Comments on: My First Blog http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/ Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:32:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Nelson http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-101 Nelson Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:49:15 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-101 There are multiple forces at work that keep ground personnel at the bottom-most rung of the Aviation ladder. Notwithstanding the economic and market aspects, the worst enemy is sometimes the individual himself. As Mr. Goglia points out, our communication skills are lacking, thus how do we communicate to our employers, our industry, and our peers, that the job performed is incredibly difficult and the reward is woefully anemic at best? As an A&P technician, despite the Airman Certificate, we are still considered unskilled labor. The repair function - arguably the most critical part of flight - is farmed out to overseas operations, which the FAA is only now scrutinizing. This is not the industry's fault, but ours. The industry will not change on our behalf: we have to change the industry, and that change begins with the individaul Airman. I realize that platitudes are not enough, but one must acknowledge that Union "solidarity" that allowed two-tiered pay scales, non-union workers on the ramp, and inconceivable concessions, combined with ruthless corporate policies and profit-driven agendas to create the ignominious "ditch-diggers" that we have become. If there is a change to make, we can do so through self-education, as well as formal education. By infusing and stimulating (in this case) the aircraft maintenance profession, only then will proficiency, safety, and self-esteem return to a profession that is totally taken for granted. Remember folks, it all starts with you - accountability will bring the reward, and trust me, it won't be easy. There are multiple forces at work that keep ground personnel at the bottom-most rung of the Aviation ladder. Notwithstanding the economic and market aspects, the worst enemy is sometimes the individual himself. As Mr. Goglia points out, our communication skills are lacking, thus how do we communicate to our employers, our industry, and our peers, that the job performed is incredibly difficult and the reward is woefully anemic at best? As an A&P technician, despite the Airman Certificate, we are still considered unskilled labor. The repair function - arguably the most critical part of flight - is farmed out to overseas operations, which the FAA is only now scrutinizing. This is not the industry’s fault, but ours. The industry will not change on our behalf: we have to change the industry, and that change begins with the individaul Airman. I realize that platitudes are not enough, but one must acknowledge that Union “solidarity” that allowed two-tiered pay scales, non-union workers on the ramp, and inconceivable concessions, combined with ruthless corporate policies and profit-driven agendas to create the ignominious “ditch-diggers” that we have become. If there is a change to make, we can do so through self-education, as well as formal education. By infusing and stimulating (in this case) the aircraft maintenance profession, only then will proficiency, safety, and self-esteem return to a profession that is totally taken for granted. Remember folks, it all starts with you - accountability will bring the reward, and trust me, it won’t be easy.

]]> By: Paul http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-100 Paul Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:11:52 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-100 Oh, where to start? First off, let me say that I've had my A&P for 28 years, I started with a once proud airline (Eastern), got laid off after 3 years & then went to work for a large regional airline, who was then bought by a small major (Piedmont) who was then bought out by a larger major (USAir). I stuck with them through thick & thin, walking picket lines when there was no other way to protect jobs & work rules, only to have my maintenance station elminated when it was time to "downsize" the operation. No sour grapes, just a business decision by folks who were looking out for their shareholders. I share your concern about the future of aircraft maintenance. What do we have to offer our youth? At least when we were out there in 20 below weather, (working midnights, weekends, holidays, etc) we were getting a decent wage & had good benefits. Now the pay is low (for the responsibility you take each and every time you sign your name), the benefits are poor, and the working conditions haven't changed. Airlines still need their aircraft worked on in the middle of the night, they still need to fly on holidays, now they rely on "on-call" maintenance providers that have no "ownership" in the operation. I run one of those "on-call" maintenance shops & I stress to my mechanics the need for safe, timely maintenance. We do our best, but it is extremely difficult to be well versed on every type of aircraft that we see. We work with over 20 different carriers who each have their own policies and procedures. MOC is stretched thin, the airlines are hanging on by their fingernails. I can't, in good conscience recommend this field to anyone, the climate has changed. Between de-regulation and the general health of the industry, we don't have much to offer. I wish that I had the answers, maybe someone out there does? We fix complex aircraft every day, how do we fix the industry & bring it back to it's former glory? Oh, where to start? First off, let me say that I’ve had my A&P for 28 years, I started with a once proud airline (Eastern), got laid off after 3 years & then went to work for a large regional airline, who was then bought by a small major (Piedmont) who was then bought out by a larger major (USAir). I stuck with them through thick & thin, walking picket lines when there was no other way to protect jobs & work rules, only to have my maintenance station elminated when it was time to “downsize” the operation. No sour grapes, just a business decision by folks who were looking out for their shareholders.
I share your concern about the future of aircraft maintenance. What do we have to offer our youth? At least when we were out there in 20 below weather, (working midnights, weekends, holidays, etc) we were getting a decent wage & had good benefits. Now the pay is low (for the responsibility you take each and every time you sign your name), the benefits are poor, and the working conditions haven’t changed. Airlines still need their aircraft worked on in the middle of the night, they still need to fly on holidays, now they rely on “on-call” maintenance providers that have no “ownership” in the operation.
I run one of those “on-call” maintenance shops & I stress to my mechanics the need for safe, timely maintenance. We do our best, but it is extremely difficult to be well versed on every type of aircraft that we see. We work with over 20 different carriers who each have their own policies and procedures. MOC is stretched thin, the airlines are hanging on by their fingernails.
I can’t, in good conscience recommend this field to anyone, the climate has changed. Between de-regulation and the general health of the industry, we don’t have much to offer.
I wish that I had the answers, maybe someone out there does? We fix complex aircraft every day, how do we fix the industry & bring it back to it’s former glory?

]]> By: Nick http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-98 Nick Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:50:47 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-98 John, All will benefit from your candor and realistic views of your profession. Keep it up! John,

All will benefit from your candor and realistic views of your profession. Keep it up!

]]> By: jon novak http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-95 jon novak Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:06:12 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-95 dear ramp rat, thanks to you i have plenty to fix, and i am over it,ask my bosses, but i am surrounded by people who arent...i am a master ase truck mechanic ,certified welder, AA auto tech trition jr college , i hold sec 609, 608 refrigeration certificates i am attending school for PLC's ac drives, i am a long time iam guy who has been draged into amfa, now teamsters , i see the people we hire now with the pay scales (the famous b scale, brought to you by the iam )that we offer , all we get are laid off aircraft mechanics and ramp guys who worked on their dad' s car . the skill level is going up as tier 4 engines come on line ( technology has arrived into ground equipment) i need younger talent to take over as i grow old, so will you ... the bottom 16 mechanics in chicago are looking at being laid off/ bumped out for the 4th time since 911, there is very good talant in that group, what is their reason to come back, we let 12 mechanic go while they were on probation......... if i have skills,grrrrrrrrr........... not every one is a beat off in the garage........... god bless ramp rats...if they cared i would have less to do... dear ramp rat, thanks to you i have plenty to fix, and i am over it,ask my bosses, but i am surrounded by people who arent…i am a master ase truck mechanic ,certified welder, AA auto tech trition jr college , i hold sec 609, 608 refrigeration certificates i am attending school for PLC’s ac drives, i am a long time iam guy who has been draged into amfa, now teamsters , i see the people we hire now with the pay scales (the famous b scale, brought to you by the iam )that we offer , all we get are laid off aircraft mechanics and ramp guys who worked on their dad’ s car . the skill level is going up as tier 4 engines come on line ( technology has arrived into ground equipment) i need younger talent to take over as i grow old, so will you … the bottom 16 mechanics in chicago are looking at being laid off/ bumped out for the 4th time since 911, there is very good talant in that group, what is their reason to come back, we let 12 mechanic go while they were on probation……… if i have skills,grrrrrrrrr……….. not every one is a beat off in the garage……….. god bless ramp rats…if they cared i would have less to do…

]]> By: Ramp Rat http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-94 Ramp Rat Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:40:39 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-94 Jon, Time for you to move on with your life. If you have the skill find another career. IAM Ramp Rat Jon,

Time for you to move on with your life.

If you have the skill find another career.

IAM Ramp Rat

]]> By: jon novak http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-90 jon novak Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:04:36 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-90 when i came to the airlines 24 yrs ago, i noticed that even the kitchen help drove nice cars, sent thier kids to college, etc. i knew i found a career. present management doesnt remember that we work week ends, holidays, bad weather, unsafe conditions,overnite shifts, etc may be because they dont...seems that they took a great career and turned it into just a job until some one finds a better paying job..or a career..airlines want out of the employee business, just look through your magazine,lots of it is about out source of airline jobs to smaller companies,hence less pay...it also seems that we pay less attention to procedures/ rules / safety as we "dumb" down the airline , well as they told us after we lost our pension, JUST GET OVER IT... when i came to the airlines 24 yrs ago, i noticed that even the kitchen help drove nice cars, sent thier kids to college, etc. i knew i found a career.
present management doesnt remember that we work week ends, holidays, bad weather, unsafe conditions,overnite shifts, etc
may be because they dont…seems that they took a great career and turned it into just a job until some one finds a better paying job..or a career..airlines want out of the employee business,
just look through your magazine,lots of it is about out source of airline jobs to smaller companies,hence less pay…it also seems that we pay less attention to procedures/ rules / safety as we “dumb” down the airline , well as they told us after we lost our pension, JUST GET OVER IT…

]]> By: tim zuck http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-89 tim zuck Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:37:31 +0000 http://www.groundsupportworldwide.com/blog/2008/10/02/my-first-blog/#comment-89 I believe the pay and benifits are to low for the resposibility we have moving aircraft de-icing and such. But i have stuck with it because i like the job. After thirteen years i am just over $10.00 an hour. I believe we are the unsung heros of the fbo because we are out there in all types of weather and most of the time we are looked down on by pilots and passengers. I believe the pay and benifits are to low for the resposibility we have moving aircraft de-icing and such. But i have stuck with it because i like the job. After thirteen years i am just over $10.00 an hour. I believe we are the unsung heros of the fbo because we are out there in all types of weather and most of the time we are looked down on by pilots and passengers.

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