UA Outsources at YVR, YYC and YYZ
Mar 3, 2014, 9:27 am
#91
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Americas
Programs: *G, CO Plat, UA 1P, Etihad Gold, Marriott Prem Plat, Avis Pres
Posts: 118
UA 1137 YYC-IAH delayed an hour this morning because ATS ground ops is understaffed (i.e. It's too cold in Calgary to work today). The UA iPhone app is blaming they delay on "airport conditions preventing departure." No Smisek, it's your penny punching that is causing the delay.
What's next, will the FA's and pilots be outsourced? Everyone will be an independent contractor? Jeez.
What's next, will the FA's and pilots be outsourced? Everyone will be an independent contractor? Jeez.
Mar 3, 2014, 1:39 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
ATS is a joke and has been for years. Constantly mis-managed, and short staffed. This is particularly acute in Calgary where there is a labour shortage and where if you're going to do physically demanding work in the frigid cold, there's tons more money to be made working in construction or oil and gas than sherping bags at YYC for ATS.
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?
Mar 3, 2014, 1:54 pm
#93
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
Mar 3, 2014, 2:20 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
Well said, I second that.
ATS is a joke and has been for years. Constantly mis-managed, and short staffed. This is particularly acute in Calgary where there is a labour shortage and where if you're going to do physically demanding work in the frigid cold, there's tons more money to be made working in construction or oil and gas than sherping bags at YYC for ATS.
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?
Mar 3, 2014, 2:28 pm
#95
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
UA in this instance could not just dole out a bunch of TN or intra company transfer visas to any of the CS agents that wanted to transfer to the US. Nor could these folks just get automatic work permits or visas on their own.
Last edited by SamuelS; Mar 3, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Mar 3, 2014, 3:24 pm
#96
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 494
Canadian's can't just ask for and get a TN visa (or any other work permit or visa for that matter) just because they feel like it. A company usually has to sponsor the employee and under the NAFTA TN program, the position has to be specialised, senior management, or a skilled profession in short demand. Most of the positions are in the medical or science field, with some other niche specialised occupations. Spouse/children etc. of the visa holder do not get work permits, so it really only is an option or is applicable to a very narrow list of folks.
UA in this instance could not just dole out a bunch of TN or intra company transfer visas to any of the CS agents that wanted to transfer to the US. Nor could these folks just get automatic work permits or visas on their own.
UA in this instance could not just dole out a bunch of TN or intra company transfer visas to any of the CS agents that wanted to transfer to the US. Nor could these folks just get automatic work permits or visas on their own.
Mar 3, 2014, 4:24 pm
#97
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Plat, Aeroplan dDiamond
Posts: 364
UA 1137 YYC-IAH delayed an hour this morning because ATS ground ops is understaffed (i.e. It's too cold in Calgary to work today). The UA iPhone app is blaming they delay on "airport conditions preventing departure." No Smisek, it's your penny punching that is causing the delay.
What's next, will the FA's and pilots be outsourced? Everyone will be an independent contractor? Jeez.
What's next, will the FA's and pilots be outsourced? Everyone will be an independent contractor? Jeez.
Who know what was really happening. Wouldn't be so quick to judge the "penny-pinching" for your delay or mine.
Mar 3, 2014, 4:40 pm
#98
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
Mar 3, 2014, 5:24 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
ATS also handles several other carriers for below wing, and the issues with ATS and delays are not confined to just UA. I sat at the boarding gate on a recent flight and watched my QX aircraft come inbound to the apron and sit for over half an hour with engines running while the station manager desperately tried to find ATS staff to marshall them in. We ended up taking a 40 minute delay for the next flight and several folks were in a pinch for connections in SEA to last flight of the night.
It will be interesting to see how it shakes out with UA. When British Airways opened the LHR-YYC route a few years back, they ended up hiring their own in-house staff to ensure the reliability of the operation after initially trying to go down the contractor / outsource path. @:-)
I do wish the best for the UA folks here many of whom have been with UA for 15-20+ years.
Mar 3, 2014, 6:39 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Americas
Programs: *G, CO Plat, UA 1P, Etihad Gold, Marriott Prem Plat, Avis Pres
Posts: 118
The GA's and pilots specifically called out ATS this morning. On numerous occasions ATS is nowhere to be found to bring the planes into the gate. On time a really frustrated pilot informed all of us that it was the "third party contractors" at fault. I don't necessarily agree with the excuse since UA should ultimately be responsible for their contractors. As others have stated, outsourcing almost never delivers the same, consistent product that employees provide. And I think it's very evident in the airline business.
Mar 5, 2014, 5:27 pm
#102
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Charlottetown, PE YYG
Programs: AC*SE, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 303
Please dont!!!! I dont want to wait half an hour for my luggage!!!
This is really sad. The YYZ United agents (and previously CO agents) have been absolutely amazing over my last 9 years as a CO/UA elite, always willing to help and assist, flexible, courteous and professional.
This is really sad. The YYZ United agents (and previously CO agents) have been absolutely amazing over my last 9 years as a CO/UA elite, always willing to help and assist, flexible, courteous and professional.
Mar 6, 2014, 1:19 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: YVR/YOW/RSW
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 125
This is really disappointing--I can say firsthand that UA plays a big role at YVR--and the airport is squarely a *A gateway. Flights to SFO in the morning are often delayed due to fog and those delays create complex routing problems that outsourced employees are less than proactive in fixing.
As well the breadth of destinations directly served--SFO, LAX, DEN, ORD, EWR, IAH, IAD--means that UA employees have to manage a wide array of flights operating all day. AA + US by comparison, have significantly less.
I hope this doesn't mean cutbacks in service or destinations.
As well the breadth of destinations directly served--SFO, LAX, DEN, ORD, EWR, IAH, IAD--means that UA employees have to manage a wide array of flights operating all day. AA + US by comparison, have significantly less.
I hope this doesn't mean cutbacks in service or destinations.
Mar 6, 2014, 7:29 am
#104
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Mar 7, 2014, 12:30 pm
#105
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 16
ATS is a joke and has been for years. Constantly mis-managed, and short staffed. This is particularly acute in Calgary where there is a labour shortage and where if you're going to do physically demanding work in the frigid cold, there's tons more money to be made working in construction or oil and gas than sherping bags at YYC for ATS.
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
[B][B]UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?
ATS entrusted with handling above the wing CS/GA functions? Good luck. It's going to be a disaster.
[B][B]UA is already calling out for US based CS staff whom have the right to work in Canada to volunteer to head up there to do a special assignment. Perhaps the US based CS staff will show some solidarity with their Canadian colleagues and decline to facilitate the lay offs of their co-workers. After all, who's next? A bunch of US stations were recently outsourced as well - and there's a lot more to come, both in the US and overseas. FRA is gone, NRT and LHR are not far behind.
The YYC CS team for UA go above and beyond day after day to keep that operation together despite the poor management of the airline. Will ATS contract staff on $11/hour feel so inclined?