I've flown several times since the chapter 11 filing, and you can sense the tension and uncertainty among US employees. In talking to these folks I learn that many are still very much committed to US.

Quite naturally employees are upset with pay cuts and pension changes -- who wouldn't be upset? Among many, there is a perception that management is not being hit with the same sort of proportional cuts as the rank and file. It's difficult to dispute this idea given the different compensation structure between rank and file workers and management elites who work under different packages and rules.

A good-sized chunk of longer-term US employees are caught between a rock and a hard place as pay and benefit cuts hurt, but not nearly as much as starting over at another airline would. But both US employees and management are caught up in a mess which is beyond either party's absolute control as a failure to transform US ends the game for all parties ( and US pax ).

I now make it a point when I travel to let US employees know that I'm sorry that they're going through tough times and that I intend to stick by the airline and keep flying with them. Words of support or empathy almost always bring a smile and it lets them know that folks can relate to what they're going through.

There's not much else to offer them in these modern corporate times of rapid change, relentless competition, and an uncertain world situation.

Barry

I've flown several times since the chapter 11 filing, and you can sense the tension and uncertainty among US employees. In talking to these folks I learn that many are still very much committed to US.

Quite naturally employees are upset with pay cuts and pension changes -- who wouldn't be upset? Among many, there is a perception that management is not being hit with the same sort of proportional cuts as the rank and file. It's difficult to dispute this idea given the different compensation structure between rank and file workers and management elites who work under different packages and rules.

A good-sized chunk of longer-term US employees are caught between a rock and a hard place as pay and benefit cuts hurt, but not nearly as much as starting over at another airline would. But both US employees and management are caught up in a mess which is beyond either party's absolute control as a failure to transform US ends the game for all parties ( and US pax ).

I now make it a point when I travel to let US employees know that I'm sorry that they're going through tough times and that I intend to stick by the airline and keep flying with them. Words of support or empathy almost always bring a smile and it lets them know that folks can relate to what they're going through.

There's not much else to offer them in these modern corporate times of rapid change, relentless competition, and an uncertain world situation.

Barry

Thank you! That is one thing I like to hear. I am not asking for a pity party, just an understanding of what is going on. We are not the only company or industry suffering...no job is secure anymore.
I welcome all words of support...and yes, it always brings a smile.

I was working in Envoy on a flight out of Europe last week. Whenever I work in Envoy I always go through the cabin before we land and individually thank everyone up there. There was a passenger that hadn't had two words to say to me the entire trip, he wasn't rude, just quiet. After I thanked him for flying with us he very sincerely said that he had really enjoyed the flight and was sorry about things with US and really hoped that we would stay in business and thrive. I must have been grinning from ear to ear, that made my whole day. :D
You guys on here are great, thank you for making those extra efforts to all of the front line employees! It really makes our day! ^

I was working in Envoy on a flight out of Europe last week. Whenever I work in Envoy I always go through the cabin before we land and individually thank everyone up there. There was a passenger that hadn't had two words to say to me the entire trip, he wasn't rude, just quiet. After I thanked him for flying with us he very sincerely said that he had really enjoyed the flight and was sorry about things with US and really hoped that we would stay in business and thrive. I must have been grinning from ear to ear, that made my whole day. :D
You guys on here are great, thank you for making those extra efforts to all of the front line employees! It really makes our day! ^

Glad to hear you're still doing Europe Wenchy.. Havent seen you on HT in a while. BDLFlyer.

That's Mme Wench to you, Tim. :) Ain't seen you there much either...

I was boarding a DFW-CLT flight last week, said a polite "hi" to the FAs while paused in the galley area. When the congestion cleared and I went to continue to my seat, I felt something pulling. One of the FAs had grabbed ahold of my Cockroach luggage tag and was trying to get the other FA's attention. He then looked at me and said it'd been a while since he'd seen one, and that he "takes care of you guys." I told him not to worry, that we still do our best too.

I didn't talk much with them during the flight, just mentioned to one that we're still here, told him about FFOCUS, and wished them all the best. As I was departing, and I said my typical "thank you" to the crew, he called out "we appreciate all you cockroach's business...thanks for flying us!"

I don't often chat with the crew, I too tend to be not rude but quiet. But yes, these days, I think we should all make the effort to mention to our crews that we wish them all the best in these trying times and thank them for their continued service. I for one have not seen a depreciation of the quality of service or attitudes from them, and believe that that says loads about the front line people. As we all know, they are the real reason we keep flying US.

Glad to hear you're still doing Europe Wenchy.. Havent seen you on HT in a while. BDLFlyer.

Hi stranger,
I promise to get onto HT soon! I miss you guys over there. As for Europe, only one more trip and it goes out tomorrow. November 1st I will be an official domestic goddess again.
Talk to you soon.
GW

That's Mme Wench to you, Tim. :) Ain't seen you there much either...

Mme. Wench? My, my, I don't even get that recognition at home!! :D

One of the FAs had grabbed ahold of my Cockroach luggage tag and was trying to get the other FA's attention.

First, is there really such a thing as a Cockroach tag or are you just refering to a CP tag? I'd love to get something that identified me as loyal roach...
EDITED to include:
found it!
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/US_COCKROACH/pins_mugs.htm

Secondly, I have been making a point to thank everyone from US I come in contact with. I have run out of those complement cards they sent. As much as the gold service desk can suck sometimes, I have had nothing but great service lately and that must be hard. With the exception of one PHL-RIC flight, I am totaly impressed with the great face everyone is putting on.

Keep up the great work and US will pull through...

-N