US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - FFOCUS Responds to the DOT report on US Airways

FFOCUS Responds to the DOT report on US Airways
Introduction:

Change in any industry causes upheaval and presents challenges to all involved in that industry to find new and creative ways to cut costs and preserve the current level of customer service. The airline industry is in the throes of such a challenge. No single airline faces greater challenges than US Airways. While feared and often resisted, change creates new opportunities for both labor and management to break down barriers and achieve new and greater levels of cooperation and ultimately increased profitability on a long-term basis.

The recently published report from the US Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General paints a dismal picture. There is no location in the US Airways system where that is more evident than the Philadelphia hub, the site of the so-called "Christmas Meltdown". In our opinion, there is more than enough blame to go around. No one group is totally at fault or totally blameless for this financial and public relations fiasco.

Challenges:

Labor Relations - In a word poor! Three successive wage cuts, two Chapter 11 filings and numerous furloughs have left the remaining workers demoralized and defeated, in many cases. Senior Management blamed them in large part for the Christmas Meltdown. In the opinion of many, this was tantamount to rubbing salt into already open wounds.

Work Ethic & Attendance - Due to years of past practice, many of the work groups share a sense of entitlement when it comes to calling off sick during holiday periods. Some workgroups were improperly blamed for increased sick calls, but a 22% sick call rate can cripple any operation.

Failing to plan is planning to fail - Operations Management at US Airways has shown an ongoing inability to remedy the near constant issues with lost or delayed bags in Philadelphia beginning prior to the first Bankruptcy filing. This consistent inability to maintain basic operations at a hub facility must be addressed. Decisions regarding employee and flight scheduling cannot be blamed on Organized Labor. While most workgroups have been consistent in their job performance, it is apparent that corporate policy failed to effectively plan for this historical activity.

Adequate staffing on the ramp in Philadelphia - US Airways hiring in Philadelphia during the past two months indicates that management has acknowledged errors in the prior business plan. The company is spending its' energy in hiring additional personnel, rather than calling press conferences and making public apologies.

Financial stability - The Christmas Meltdown weakened an already weak airline financially. Hard dollar costs were in the tens of millions. Any sum reflects an outlay the company could ill afford.

Opportunities:

The blame for the Christmas meltdown is widespread, no one can claim the moral high ground and honestly state, "It wasn't my fault"! ALL have at least some responsibility. Continuing the internal blame game serves no one; not managers, employees and certainly not customers. Continued bickering amongst groups seeking to absolve themselves while placing blame elsewhere is futile and self-serving. It serves to drain precious resources, both human and financial to deal with the past. Continued dwelling on the past virtually ensures a bleak future with the company careening out of control from one financial crisis to the next.

The opportunity presented is turning a huge negative event into a positive that will allow the company to remake itself into a customer oriented, employee friendly company that is efficient and profitable. Regardless of fault this tragic event presents a golden opportunity for the culture change at US Airways to begin and to truly have "Clear Sky's Ahead" be more than a marketing slogan but a commitment for all parties to work together to address the underlying challenges that prevent US Airways from being a growing and prosperous enterprise.


Extending the Olive Branch - Someone must make the first move. The DOT report is a scathing indictment of US Airways management and labor failing to pull together in enlightened self-interest to serve its customers. A demoralized workforce will not be productive enough to turn their monetary sacrifices into the productivity enhancements required to compete against the Southwests of the world. They will have given up their wages in vain!

Current employee morale left unchanged, will allow the current management team the dubious distinction of presiding over Chapter 7 proceedings and become the first major casualty of the post 9/11 airline industry in the US. Allowing the workgroups to take the full blame publicly is regrettable. US Airways should take full advantage of this unfortunate event to begin the reconciliation process required to begin the massive culture change needed for its survival.

True leadership is often best demonstrated when a person or organization admits their mistakes in an honest and forthright way. This holds true for labor leadership as well. The time has passed for wallowing in recriminations. The time to address the challenges faced by legacy carriers is now. Labor & management united against a common enemy can do wonders for the bottom line and the satisfaction of both employees and customers.

By ALL parties admitting the error of their ways, and focusing on building a true management & labor partnership, the cornerstone of a financially healthy & growing US Airways will have been laid and the journey towards a new corporate culture will have begun. At FFOCUS, we urge ALL parties to work together to make US Airways the carrier of choice for the traveling public

From the broken record department: while all airlines today have employer/employee issues, what the report really underscores is the inevitible result of having failed to identify and fix the Philadelphia problem. It has always been right there. To shift so many operating assets to that place, without fixing it, is tantamount to trying to cross the Mojave Desert in a car with a quarter tank of gas.

An excellent and well written response to the DOT report!

An excellent and well written response to the DOT report!

I second that emotion. Very well written and cogently argued. Couldna done it better myself. Well done!

The DOT report is accurate. no excuses. usairways is a total failure and deserves this report. usairways should be happy that no fine was levied and no class action lawsuits were initiated as the result of mistreatment of passengers.

The DOT report is accurate. no excuses. usairways is a total failure and deserves this report. usairways should be happy that no fine was levied and no class action lawsuits were initiated as the result of mistreatment of passengers.

... yet. ;)

usairways is a total failure and deserves this report.
:rolleyes: With almost 301 aircraft, US Airways, Inc. operates more than 3,701 flights daily, carrying an average of more than 120,000 passengers. It has 35 Carribean destinations and 10 European destinations. Passengers can check-in online or at over 250 self-serve kiosks in less than 30 seconds. while it is not the best airline, and the weekend luggage scenario was not good, to say that it is a total failure is wrong.

The people working there, especially flight personnel, are terrific. The leadership has been awful. Notice they have quietly put mainline jets back on runs that had been allocated to Express, the DCA mini hub is suddenly back in use, and mindless aggravation, like leaving 10 minutes early, has been replaced by better scheduling. Unfortunately, much damage has been done. A lot of this would have never happened if the people who run it ever flew it. I'm betting they don't.

The people working there, especially flight personnel, are terrific.
...
Unfortunately, much damage has been done. A lot of this would have never happened if the people who run it ever flew it. I'm betting they don't.

In acadamia, we refer to this as being "in the ivory tower", those who never have been out in the real world and see what goes on. Ususally these people don't have any clue how the business world works, yet they preach about how it is. I've been on both sides, so I wasn't brought up in the ivory tower.

Here, mgmt lives in the "CCY or Crystal Palace" as I've seen it referred to on US Aviation. A challenge would be to have Lakefield and his senior VPs take a few days, come out of the "Crystal Palace" and make a mileage run around the system... get out, talk to some customers and see how good your people and how stupid some of the procedures really are.

Then again, pigs will probably fly first. :(

...

Then again, pigs will probably fly first. :(

Aside from the obvious pre-departure drinks and seat size, the passenger experience isn't really that much different in First Class as it is in coach, so I think the execs would still get a good view from their passengers' perspective. ;)

:rolleyes: With almost 301 aircraft, US Airways, Inc. operates more than 3,701 flights daily, carrying an average of more than 120,000 passengers. It has 35 Carribean destinations and 10 European destinations. Passengers can check-in online or at over 250 self-serve kiosks in less than 30 seconds. while it is not the best airline, and the weekend luggage scenario was not good, to say that it is a total failure is wrong.




Check your information, as what you wrote is a little outdated. The airline now flies 271 aircraft, a little over 3,400 flights a day, and the destination count is dropping (although they now serve 13 destinations in Europe).

I think deelmakur says is best.

Aside from the obvious pre-departure drinks and seat size, the passenger experience isn't really that much different in First Class as it is in coach, so I think the execs would still get a good view from their passengers' perspective. ;)

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't post it thinking the humor would probably go over a lot of heads....

I am quite certain the senior execs don't fly it much beyond trips to NYC, or the remaining hubs. For one thing, they are aware of the animosity between themselves and the employees, who lump them together with several unpopular follks who have departed with big checks, while they have seen their own standard of living erode. Smart managers avoid getting trapped on a plane with people who are pissed at them, and make use of reciprocal pass priveledges on other carriers. Also, living in DC, it is probably easier and faster for them to travel to many destinations on other airlines. In a perverse way, with all the junior people laid off, the line is currently staffed with senior people, and certainly, as far as inflight, has never been better. There are no new kids flying these mainline planes, just very experienced crews.

Check your information, as what you wrote is a little outdated. The airline now flies 271 aircraft, a little over 3,400 flights a day, and the destination count is dropping (although they now serve 13 destinations in Europe).

I think deelmakur says is best.
That's still over 600 more daily flights and lots more destinations than Southwest (although WN carries more pax)...to say that a company that can manage 3400+ dailies including international destinations, is a total failure is just not correct. However, I'm also not saying that US is a great company financially, but it's not a total failure. :)

It's all relative. For example, in a classroom, if you get a semester score of 65 of 100, you have failed. Total failure, or just regular failure? It doesn't really matter.

Take flight cancellations. Usually the cancellation rate is expressed as "completion rate" (probably to make things look better). A 99% completion rate sounds great, meaning only 1% of flights are cancelled. Actually, that's just ordinary. Most flights that don't leave on time are merely delayed, sometimes by hours. Imagine if an airline had a 51% completion rate. That is definitely a failure in that respect, because it makes no sense to say "Well, they completed more flights than they canceled, so that's fine."

In terms of planning for the future (FLL hub, PTY and SAL destinations, building PIT then tearing it down, PHL, etc.), US Airways is most certainly a total failure. The only reason they're still around is because they have 1) a large following of loyal customers (I have to admit I still fly them occasionally because of a fairly long experience with them, going back to the Piedmont days) and 2) a concentration of flights up and down the East Coast.

If you took the US operation and spread it out where any other airline could offer the same type of network, US would be gone by now.

“……At FFOCUS, we urge ALL parties to work together to make US Airways the carrier of choice for the traveling public”

You Rocket Scientists still around spewing your nonsense?

The people working there, especially flight personnel, are terrific. The leadership has been awful.

Companies are the sum of ALL employees.

..... if the people who run it ever flew it.

Runner up for the dumbest statement ever.

Everyone has a job to do. Management could fly a plane as well as a pilot could perform a engine overhaul and a F/A could understand capacity controls.

Get off the Dogma, please!

At FFOCUS, we urge ALL parties to work together to make US Airways the carrier of choice for the traveling public
Are you sure you want that? You detest Southwest with a passion, yet they carry more domestic passengers than any other airline. I would call that a pretty good definition of 'the carrier of choice for the traveling public.' So is that what FFOCUS really wants?

Companies are the sum of ALL employees.



Runner up for the dumbest statement ever.
Everyone has a job to do. Management could fly a plane as well as a pilot could perform a engine overhaul and a F/A could understand capacity controls.
Get off the Dogma, please!

Hmmmmm......before I spewed a statement like that at a highly-respected poster, I'd make sure I understood his statement that senior management runs an airline on which they rarely fly as passengers, and experience the service, from check-in to departure, to in-flight, to baggage claim. Far from being a dumb statement, it's an absolute truth.

Thanks, Shinbal. Nice to see you on the boards. Look on the bright side. We appear to have added a member who brings us insights into employee empowerment, use of the English language, and apparent expertise on dumb statements.

Hmmmmm......before I spewed a statement like that at a highly-respected poster, I'd make sure I understood his statement that senior management runs an airline on which they rarely fly as passengers, and experience the service, from check-in to departure, to in-flight, to baggage claim. Far from being a dumb statement, it's an absolute truth.


How does Deelmakur know that US management doesn't fly on it's own airline? I have a friend in Operations at PIT that told me every time members of management are on a flight, they get a memo stating they must make certain the plane they are on doesn't get delayed in departure.

US management doesn't have to deal with check-in like you and I do, while inflight they get the same service as you or I do (the cabin crew knows they are onboard, so they get more attention than you or I do). The higher up the food chain you are, the less crap you have to deal with at the bottom, like you and I have to do.

Absolute truth? Unlikely.

How does Deelmakur know that US management doesn't fly on it's own airline? I have a friend in Operations at PIT that told me every time members of management are on a flight, they get a memo stating they must make certain the plane they are on doesn't get delayed in departure.

US management doesn't have to deal with check-in like you and I do, while inflight they get the same service as you or I do (the cabin crew knows they are onboard, so they get more attention than you or I do). The higher up the food chain you are, the less crap you have to deal with at the bottom, like you and I have to do.

Absolute truth? Unlikely.

You might be surprised at how management flys the system. They must use the web site to book their travel for starts. They are in the system as CP's. That's one of the reasons why what limited resources they have go toward IT infrastructure. The execs see first hand the hassles we endure.

I'm also certain your statement that the ops folks notify (warn) the flights that carry the execs is very true. This is unfortunate, yet not uncommon for airline industry exec's. Bet you didn't know that US execs can bump a US2 or US3 from F/C? This policy change was implemented when Siegel came in. Still in effect as far as I know.

Did you also know that Neal Cohen was so enraged that he tried to physicaly remove a Cockroach luggage tag from on of us seated in F/C? It's true! The individual is a regular poster here. PS: Glad the didn't happen to me as I don't think they award FF miles from prison :)

I think Deel's point that they don't often fly the system like the average customer does is accurate. Dead bang accurate.

However I have to say that unlike many airline execs the folks at US KNOW they have to change the way they do business and that's good. What is bad is that when they try something new and creative and it fails they are just roundly hammered in all circles and they revert to style. A style that we all know (including them) will fail.

[QUOTE=PineyBob]

Bet you didn't know that US execs can bump a US2 or US3 from F/C? This policy change was implemented when Siegel came in. Still in effect as far as I know.

QUOTE]


Yes I know this. A former CLUB employee told me this was not uncommon.

Highly respected? By who? Seems to me that a few posters consider themselves (and by others who buy into this myth) that they are somehow above others here and therefore their insights should be given more weight.

Well, sorry to burst your balloon but welcome to the FT Forums – the truly democratic discussion forum for all. These “Elites” are only special in their own minds and in the minds of a few of you who acknowledge their special position.

Let Freedom Rule and Down with Tyrants!

But I digress, lets get back to the post. Looking around at the replies by those who have silly things such as FACTS, it now becomes clear that US management does indeed fly our happy little airline. So what are we to learn? How about that the statement that was “spewed” was simply WRONG. In other words NOT CORRECT. Or to put it another way: a really Dumb Statement!

Should we not save our high respect to those who state the truth instead of spewing nonsense? In the future maybe our highly respected friend should check his facts before posting. How about a breakdown on the number of US management that flies US compared to other airlines? The breakdown should compare both miles flown and time in the air. To make things easier, lets just have the breakdown on senior management with a report showing all office type employees submitted at a later date. While researching this report I would also be interested to learn if these US management types prefer Window or Aisle seats. It would be most revealing to know for example how many prefer Window seats on US compared to how many prefer Aisles seats on other airlines……

Should we not save our high respect to those who state the truth instead of spewing nonsense? In the future maybe our highly respected friend should check his facts before posting. How about a breakdown on the number of US management that flies US compared to other airlines? The breakdown should compare both miles flown and time in the air. To make things easier, lets just have the breakdown on senior management with a report showing all office type employees submitted at a later date. While researching this report I would also be interested to learn if these US management types prefer Window or Aisle seats. It would be most revealing to know for example how many prefer Window seats on US compared to how many prefer Aisles seats on other airlines……

How about how many prefer Ruffles or Cape Cod's?

And how about how many prefer green limes to brown limes? ;)

OK Philly, I'm dumb,elitist, self important, and undeserving of any recognition, which I obviously crave. Thank you for bringing me back to reality. I breathlessly await your next informed and knowledgeable insights. As an investment banker, I have learned little about airline management, working on private placements of securities and equipment trust certificates for certain carriers. This operational stuff goes right over me. This forum is indeed fortunate to have you as a monitor, as well as a beacon for truth, justice, and the democratic process. You gotta be a Goldman Sachs guy. I can smell it.

How does Deelmakur know that US management doesn't fly on it's own airline? I have a friend in Operations at PIT that told me every time members of management are on a flight, they get a memo stating they must make certain the plane they are on doesn't get delayed in departure.

US management doesn't have to deal with check-in like you and I do, while inflight they get the same service as you or I do (the cabin crew knows they are onboard, so they get more attention than you or I do). The higher up the food chain you are, the less crap you have to deal with at the bottom, like you and I have to do.

Absolute truth? Unlikely.

I back the statement that upper management doesn't fly the airline from information from several (meaning more than three) people I know who work for the airline presently, and from one former (and NOT bitter) employee. I'm not talking about the VP of sales - I'm talking the upper management. Find Bronner or Lakefield on a flight for me. Or one of the other heavies.

Highly respected? By who? Seems to me that a few posters consider themselves (and by others who buy into this myth) that they are somehow above others here and therefore their insights should be given more weight.

Deelmaker forgot more than you will ever know about the airline industry, and he forgot more than I know now. So I give him his "props"! WHY??? Because he EARNED them. Exactly What the fudge have you done to add value here or in life? I also happen to know Deel is pretty much a "Self Made" man.[/I]

Well, sorry to burst your balloon but welcome to the FT Forums – the truly democratic discussion forum for all. These “Elites” are only special in their own minds and in the minds of a few of you who acknowledge their special position.

Let Freedom Rule and Down with Tyrants!

Indeed it is democratic, that doesn't mean it lacks decorum. If the shoe fits my brother wear it!

But I digress, lets get back to the post. Looking around at the replies by those who have silly things such as FACTS, it now becomes clear that US management does indeed fly our happy little airline. So what are we to learn? How about that the statement that was “spewed” was simply WRONG. In other words NOT CORRECT. Or to put it another way: a really Dumb Statement!

Perhaps you should read more closely. The commentary was that US executives don't fly the system in the same way we as paying customers do. While they use some of the tools, it is still a different experience

Should we not save our high respect to those who state the truth instead of spewing nonsense? In the future maybe our highly respected friend should check his facts before posting. How about a breakdown on the number of US management that flies US compared to other airlines? The breakdown should compare both miles flown and time in the air. To make things easier, lets just have the breakdown on senior management with a report showing all office type employees submitted at a later date. While researching this report I would also be interested to learn if these US management types prefer Window or Aisle seats. It would be most revealing to know for example how many prefer Window seats on US compared to how many prefer Aisles seats on other airlines……

[I]BEFORE you insult Deel and FFOCUS perhaps you'd like to share the number of times you've flown US? And if it is soooo bad why? Then you can join the debate as a colleague instead of a troll?

Highly respected? By who? Seems to me that a few posters consider themselves (and by others who buy into this myth) that they are somehow above others here and therefore their insights should be given more weight.


Highly respected by many members of this forum who have been around these boards for a very long time.

And for the record, it's "by WHOM".

The trolls always come out just before a deadline date. The 15th is coming upon us here. The trolls are all here to come feed. Some of you guys have multiple screen names (like we all didn't know that already.) I don't know why you have to hide behind another personality.

Some of your writing patterns are EXACTLY the same.

Many of us know that US Airways has flaws and they are working on them. I think the rolling hub is working (as of Feb 5th). I have not been in the USA since Feb 23rd however, when did have to fly through PHL since the 5th I actually arrived early and left on time. It was actually kind of scary! :eek:

While I was as bemused by this press release by FFOCUS as Phillyd2, I think the personal attacks are over the line. Especially since deelmakur is the last one to deserve it (I will hold my tongue on others here).

In the end, phillyd2, just let the baby have their bottle. The rest of us have already voted with our dollars and that's what USAirways has to really care about.

Now Now, deelmakur - I did not mean to hurt your feelings. Just saying that if you make a statement then you should have some facts to back it up. Simply enough, no? Of course you and your FFCOUS pals think you are special and care more about US than the rest of us but we have been here before. How about just posting the facts to back up your statement? BTW, Yippee on that investment banking thing. But you tell us this why? If I worked at McDonalds would my comments that you don’t know what you are talking about be any less valid? How about if I was in charge of Flight Operations at US? I sure do hope that other investment bankers make their statements based on facts but then again maybe not – that would at least explain the Tech Bubble.

PineyBobby, Great Insight! Nice to see your blind loyalty even when your boy is wrong or at the very least can not back up his statement with a single fact. Agreed that no attacks are needed so why did you do it? Can you spell Hypocrisy? Still don’t understand what difference it makes how often I fly US. Sounds like another attack on the messenger instead of just answering my question: What facts are his statement based on? Simple question, no?

Mr. Fan, Troll? That’s it? Why is anybody that does not agree with your elitist group’s views called a Troll? Instead how about this: poster #1 posts a statement, poster # 2 says that poster # 1 makes a statement based on no facts and then the rest of you and poster # 1 tells all including poster # 2 where these “facts” came from? Seems like a reasonable approach, no? Not saying that your “Anybody who does not agree with us is a troll” approach should be abandoned – just tossing out another option for your kind consideration.

Oh yeah, since you all seem to care – I’m Gold on US and Premier on U, live and fly out of PHL - so yeah, I guess that I fly a lot and even know a thing or two about US, PHL and the airline business in general. But thanks for asking anyway. Can I now sit at the big people’s table?

I did not mean to hurt your feelings....... Of course you and your FFCOUS pals think you are special and care more about US than the rest of us but we have been here before.... BTW, Yippee on that investment banking thing..... I sure do hope that other investment bankers make their statements based on facts but then again maybe not – that would at least explain the Tech Bubble.

Great Insight! Nice to see your blind loyalty even when your boy is wrong or at the very least can not back up his statement with a single fact....... Can you spell Hypocrisy?

Troll? That’s it? Why is anybody that does not agree with your elitist group’s views called a Troll?.......just tossing out another option for your kind consideration.

Oh yeah, since you all seem to care.....Can I now sit at the big people’s table?

TROLL

To deliberately post derogatory or inflammatory comments to a community forum, chat room, newsgroup and/or a blog in order to bait other users into responding.

BTW, good to see you back. It has been awful peaceful around here lately. ^

PineyBobby, Great Insight! Nice to see your blind loyalty even when your boy is wrong or at the very least can not back up his statement with a single fact. Agreed that no attacks are needed so why did you do it? Can you spell Hypocrisy? Still don’t understand what difference it makes how often I fly US. Sounds like another attack on the messenger instead of just answering my question: What facts are his statement based on? Simple question, no?

Can I now sit at the big people’s table?

Deelmaker, "My Boy"??? surely you jest my good fellow! Deel and I disagree far more often than we agree. YES I can spell hypocracy and I can use the word in a complete sentence too! Impressed? I didn't think so.

I also like being called "Elitest"! Never been called that before. In fact I don't even know what an "Elitest" is. I'm not sure but it sounds insulting. Deel??? Am I an "Elitest"?? Is there a 12 step program for it? Is forming a group with people of common interests and pressing forward with an agenda "Elitest"?? If that's the case then aren't all political parties, Social Clubs, activist groups & Labor Unions "elitest" as well by your definition?

Yes you can sit at the big peoples table. Just tell them that no "Elitests" are allowed lest we offend your sensibilities. Heck you can even join FFOCUS! You have my personal invitation. Perhaps your unique insight would help us broaden our horizons. Afterall since we are all elitests our view might be a bit myopic and since you are the second coming of Karnak the Magnificent your all knowing, all seeing capabilities could be very helpful to an elitest organization. Perhaps you can devine what seat I'll be in on 3/21 PHL-PIT. Just to prove your worth to FFOCUS then we can move onto more worthy endeavors like having you predict which will be the next GoFare city so we can all book our mileage runs. A person of your intellect could be a real bonus.

Deelmaker, "My Boy"??? surely you jest my good fellow! Deel and I disagree far more often than we agree. YES I can spell hypocracy and I can use the word in a complete sentence too! Impressed? I didn't think so.


"hypocracy" is actually spelled hypocrisy, the way phillyd2 spells it.

From dictionary.com:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=hypocrisy

"hypocracy" is actually spelled hypocrisy, the way phillyd2 spells it.

From dictionary.com:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=hypocrisy

I don't get paid to spell

OK, guys. Sorry for the misspellings while I’m just tapping away on my little PDA sitting in the PHL lounge but as usual we are nitpicking instead of answering the asked question. Proof of your superior intellect, no doubt. Continue on Twinkies and fly safe! :)

Continue on Twinkies and fly safe! :)
NOT Twinkies, Krispy Kremes. But thanks for the thought.

I spent six hours in the PHL club last week and took a 10:40 PM flight out. Sure hope you're having more fun than I did.

(Sure hope I spelled everything right)

Mr. Fan, Troll? That’s it? Why is anybody that does not agree with your elitist group’s views called a Troll? Instead how about this: poster #1 posts a statement, poster # 2 says that poster # 1 makes a statement based on no facts and then the rest of you and poster # 1 tells all including poster # 2 where these “facts” came from? Seems like a reasonable approach, no? Not saying that your “Anybody who does not agree with us is a troll” approach should be abandoned – just tossing out another option for your kind consideration.


Phill2,

The funny thing is...I was not pointing the REMARK towards you. I agree with some of your frustrations about US Airways in the PHL market. My remark to the troll was to another poster on here however, if you are feeling like this was pointed towards you....well then that says enough in itself. I think everyone has their right to an opinion however, bashing on here is not needed to get your point across.

There are many on here that think they are so smart and need to point out that a person can't spell and so on. First off you can be book smart, and then you have people on here who are not book smart but have the "common/world" smarts which are far more important. I know I am not the best speller or even writer for that matter. But I am certainly not stupid. What I think is stupid are people who have to throw around and point out others misspellings ect on here. Some of us just want to get our thoughts out on here while typing and go.

The Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation, generally provides a professional, high quality investigation and analysis. The IG is independent of the Secretary of Transportation. See http://www.ignet.gov/pande/mission1.html

Perhaps it would be useful to put a link to the IG report at the very top of the original post, so readers of this thread can easily see what this thread is responding to.

http://www.oig.dot.gov/item_details.php?item=1510

Incidentally, what does "FFOCUS" stand for? I know vaguely what it is (the US equivalent to SSM) and even more generally that a cockroach is a US passenger. :rolleyes:

Perhaps you could include a link to a relevant thread whenever using your acronym? :cool:

FFOCUS= Frequent Fliers Organized and Committed to US Airways Success
http://www.ffocus.org

When you go to the website you can read about the history of how the cockroach came to be.

TSA - The missing element of the report

Having done some additional research it should be noted that the DOT Inspector General FAILED to report on the roll that the Transportation Security Agency played in hampering US Airways efforts to expedite the movement of baggage on the dates in question.

Some questions for Mr Mineta:

1. What was the absentee rate of TSA employees on the dates of the Christmas Meltdown?

2. How understaffed is the TSA on any given day in PHL?

3. Why were TSA officials not empowered locally to implement procedures designed for situations such as the Christmas Meltdown?

4. Why wasn't TSA local and Senior Management subject to evaluation by the DOT Inspector General?

TSA - The missing element of the report

Having done some additional research it should be noted that the DOT Inspector General FAILED to report on the roll that the Transportation Security Agency played in hampering US Airways efforts to expedite the movement of baggage on the dates in question.

Some questions for Mr Mineta:

1. What was the absentee rate of TSA employees on the dates of the Christmas Meltdown?

2. How understaffed is the TSA on any given day in PHL?

3. Why were TSA officials not empowered locally to implement procedures designed for situations such as the Christmas Meltdown?

4. Why wasn't TSA local and Senior Management subject to evaluation by the DOT Inspector General?

Probably because TSA falls under Homeland Security which has it's own Inspector General. I may be wrong, but I don't think that the Transportation IG can go sniff around another IG's turf.

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TSA - The missing element of the report

Having done some additional research it should be noted that the DOT Inspector General FAILED to report on the [role] that the Transportation Security Agency played in hampering US Airways efforts to expedite the movement of baggage on the dates in question.

Some questions for Mr Mineta:As pointed out in the post immediately above, DHS is a separate agency from DOT.

And as I pointed out four posts up, the Inspectors General are statutorily independent of the Cabinet officials in the agencies they oversee. The DOT IG does not work for Secretary Mineta. They are confirmed by the Senate for an indefinite term, and can be removed by the President only for cause.

It is great to be supportive of and loyal to one's airline, but before attacking unbiased and impartial analysis by an outside reviewer, it is best to be well aware of the facts, organizational responsibilities, role, and statutory scheme creating the entity preparing the report.

Other than the U.S. Courts, perhaps, the Offices of the Inspectors General are the most unbiased organizations in the federal government today.

Next time you fly through PHL, take a moment to walk past the B/C concourse ticket counters and observe for a moment. Then defend the TSA.

Bag upon bag stacked up waiting for TSA to screen them sometimes all the way behind the counter where the agents are. Bags don't always reach there final destination on time.

I have asked ticket agents about this and they say "It happens all the time"

I'm in no way defending US Airways. Especially Senior Management what I'm saying is regardless of which alphabet soup money wasting government agency is in charge of TSA, how come no one investigated their part in all of this?

Having the Federal Governement investigate itself would be the same as the IAM investigating the rampers in PHL

Next time you fly through PHL, take a moment to walk past the B/C concourse ticket counters and observe for a moment. Then defend the TSA. [/B]

Right on the Money!

Next time you fly through PHL, take a moment to walk past the B/C concourse ticket counters and observe for a moment. Then defend the TSA.

. . . .

Having the Federal Government investigate itself would be the same as the IAM investigating the rampers in PHLNot quite. If you look at www.ignet.gov and the links it contains, you'll see that thousands of people are actually paid to investigate the Government, and do an excellent job doing so. Waste, fraud, and abuse are condoned by none of the three branches of government. Needless to say, with an organization as messed up as the TSA, the DHS IG has his hands full!

Also, does the TSA focus exclusively on US, rather than all the other carriers? If TSA at PHL is markedly worse than TSA elsewhere, that is definitely something to tell the DHS IG, with as many specifics as possible.

Actually SPN, I'm working on the answer to your very question regarding TSA in PHL.

There are "hints" if you will that TSA in PHL is not well managed compared to other large facilities. Trying to get through the TSA maze to find out who the appropriate contact people are is to be polite challenging.

Diplomacy NOT being my strong suit makes it very difficult for me as I am not someone who generally choses his words all that wisely. It is very difficult being polite to an organization you hold in utter contempt.

My first goal is to get some consistancy with the elite lines in PHL which operate sporadicaly at best.