Dearborn res may be closing
Apr 1, 2014, 4:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Dearborn res may be closing
NOT a joke as it's not at all funny. Heard that the Dearborn res office may be closing down sooner rather than later and the agents will be shifted to home-based. Very disappointing to hear. The Premier agents at Dearborn and Honolulu are the best -- they're one of the reasons I've held on to UA. Really bummed to hear they're closing down that office. Great group of agents and will be sorely missed!
Apr 1, 2014, 6:20 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
NOT a joke as it's not at all funny. Heard that the Dearborn res office may be closing down sooner rather than later and the agents will be shifted to home-based. Very disappointing to hear. The Premier agents at Dearborn and Honolulu are the best -- they're one of the reasons I've held on to UA. Really bummed to hear they're closing down that office. Great group of agents and will be sorely missed!
This impacts customers poorly... how?
Apr 1, 2014, 6:35 am
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Not everyone likes working from home. And there is something to be said for having colleagues nearby to ask for help when you need it or other social interaction. And the employee would need to have somewhere at home they can set up to do the work.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
Apr 1, 2014, 6:59 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Not everyone likes working from home. And there is something to be said for having colleagues nearby to ask for help when you need it or other social interaction. And the employee would need to have somewhere at home they can set up to do the work.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
No longer have to fight Ford WHQ employees for local food, traffic, etc.
Apr 1, 2014, 7:17 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
Not everyone likes working from home. And there is something to be said for having colleagues nearby to ask for help when you need it or other social interaction. And the employee would need to have somewhere at home they can set up to do the work.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
I don't think it is completely bad, but it isn't all good, either.
As for colleagues - I'm sure there's plenty of IM/chat/phone/conferencing options to remain in touch. A team meeting once every X (months, weeks, years, days, whatever) wouldn't be a bad thing either, but given the little amount of information here, I don't think we can judge United's telecommuting procedures.
Apr 1, 2014, 8:42 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: Hotels.com WR Silver ;)
Posts: 240
I'm sure you'd have no trouble concentrating when on the phone with a customer.
The main purpose of Dearborn RZ in the late PMUA days was primarily processing refund/reticketing requests from united.com and issuing paper Flight Value Coupons, something that the old united.com and Apollo could not do automatically.
Since SHARES can do this automatically (one of the few features it has that Apollo did not) and has a travel bank capability. There's no need for them to have a physical office to do this.
The main purpose of Dearborn RZ in the late PMUA days was primarily processing refund/reticketing requests from united.com and issuing paper Flight Value Coupons, something that the old united.com and Apollo could not do automatically.
Since SHARES can do this automatically (one of the few features it has that Apollo did not) and has a travel bank capability. There's no need for them to have a physical office to do this.
Apr 1, 2014, 9:04 am
#9
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It takes time. When I first started working from home (one day a week), I had that issue, but after a month or so, I found I was much more efficient, and eventually ramped up to three days a week at home.
Apr 1, 2014, 3:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
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I've heard from multiple ex-CON premier-line home-based TPA agents that they had to take a pay cut when that center closed. Wonder if that will apply to DTW?
Apr 1, 2014, 9:36 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
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Probably, yes, as they are also IAM union members (contract work rules/wages) and there is a small difference (lower) hourly wage for home-based agents. I wish I could work in my pajamas but that would look pretty silly at the ticket counter ! Hope they all get options and not lose any jobs.
Last edited by FlyingNone; Apr 1, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Apr 10, 2014, 5:13 pm
#13
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Posts: 3,445
UPD: Dearborn res not scheduled for closing
Glad to report that initial reports of Dearborn's closing are premature. Three separate agents have indicated they were just rumors. MOD: can you change title to "UPD: Dearborn res not scheduled for closing"?
Apr 10, 2014, 5:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: HAM and CLE
Posts: 68
Probably, yes, as they are also IAM union members (contract work rules/wages) and there is a small difference (lower) hourly wage for home-based agents. I wish I could work in my pajamas but that would look pretty silly at the ticket counter ! Hope they all get options and not lose any jobs.
But it has been my experience that the at-home agents are traditionally very knowledgeable and don't need a support desk/co-worker/supervisor to take care of things unless it's a VERY serious or random issue.
If we can put this to rest, then I support this move ^