Protests and Arrests at MSP
Jun 17, 2014, 5:52 pm
#61
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Jun 17, 2014, 6:15 pm
#62
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I'll try to stay on topic and not go OMNI. Does the $7.25 include the tips or is it a "base pay" (i.e., tips add to the bottom line)? I would have no problem with DL (or whomever) paying for the service to help the handicapped without a tip being "required". I haven't been through MSP recently, but I have been by-passed trying to "flag down" an electric cart there and even at ATL when I'm pretty sure the driver could see my cane. Maybe next time, I'll stick my cane out in front of the driver to stop the cart.
Jun 17, 2014, 6:17 pm
#63
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The callousness of those on this forum towards the plight of the lowest among us is depressing. These workers deserve a fair wage that allows them to live. Arguing for that doesn't make you a socialist or commie, it makes me a decent human being. Amongst the many reasons why the USA is no longer ranked as one of the best countries to live in the world, the depressing attitude of it's "I got mine" citizens is a major contributor.
Jun 17, 2014, 6:24 pm
#64
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DC's been very good for the market and big business as of late. Look at this US industry with its big 3 cartel kingpins sitting way too pretty in an oligopolistic market enabled by the government. DL can afford to pay a bit more.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jun 17, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Jun 17, 2014, 7:44 pm
#65
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Thread closed pending Moderator Review
Jun 23, 2014, 8:27 am
#66
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DL Internal Audits Disabled PAX - MSP Bottom Rank
http://www.minnpost.com/community-vo...rvice-disabled
Interesting points:
Allegedly MSP ranks low in DL's internal audits for Disabled PAX.
DL had 4400 complaints related to the Air Carrier Access Act in 2012. Pre NW/DL merger the number was 3000. DL had consent orders in 2003 and 2011.
The wheelchair service is a private contract between airlines and AirServe, the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) has no say in it as it's a private sector contract.
Janitors work for the parent company of AirServ and get twice the pay because that contract is paid by the MAC (public sector) and has wage stipulations.
Pay will go up slightly the next couple years because of MN minimum wage increases.
My Take:
Previously it was floated that this was a public sector issue the airport needed to fix. Clearly this is a problem owned primarily by DL since they are the ones paying for the service.
DL collects metrics internally. Knows there's a problem. To date they have made no public comments on the issue. Not sure why DL doesn't want to get out ahead of the issue.
Interesting points:
Allegedly MSP ranks low in DL's internal audits for Disabled PAX.
DL had 4400 complaints related to the Air Carrier Access Act in 2012. Pre NW/DL merger the number was 3000. DL had consent orders in 2003 and 2011.
The wheelchair service is a private contract between airlines and AirServe, the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) has no say in it as it's a private sector contract.
Janitors work for the parent company of AirServ and get twice the pay because that contract is paid by the MAC (public sector) and has wage stipulations.
Pay will go up slightly the next couple years because of MN minimum wage increases.
My Take:
Previously it was floated that this was a public sector issue the airport needed to fix. Clearly this is a problem owned primarily by DL since they are the ones paying for the service.
DL collects metrics internally. Knows there's a problem. To date they have made no public comments on the issue. Not sure why DL doesn't want to get out ahead of the issue.
Jun 23, 2014, 9:39 am
#67
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The most interesting point is that this article is all based on research from a union seeking to represent those whom it (conveniently) claims are underpaid in it's "study".
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
Jun 23, 2014, 9:46 am
#68
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The most interesting point is that this article is all based on research from a union seeking to represent those whom it (conveniently) claims are underpaid in it's "study".
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
Jun 23, 2014, 10:00 am
#69
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The most interesting point is that this article is all based on research from a union seeking to represent those whom it (conveniently) claims are underpaid in it's "study".
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
Not exactly what I'd consider an unbiased source. If Minnpost thinks there's smoke, perhaps they could commission a independent study...
"Even Delta Air Lines, which accounts for three of every four flights there, found in internal audits that MSP consistently ranked in the past at or near the bottom of its 10 largest airports in quality of service to the disabled."
So there's certainly some smoke...
Jun 23, 2014, 10:04 am
#70
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I'm not going to go down the path of OMNI union debate. Though I admit that seems to be a common path taken to derail topics about legitimate service standard issues.
Jun 23, 2014, 10:30 am
#71
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This would seem to be an argument not to pay the MSP wheelchair pushers more if they're not doing a good job. Either replace them with more qualified workers or hire more of them, but don't pay them more for providing poor service.
Jun 23, 2014, 11:42 am
#72
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I would think a starting place would be to re-negogisiate the contract with AirServ to put carrots and sticks into place to meet service metrics. I don't know if they have a flat rate, or are paid every time the airline puts in a request. We never know, but I would assume, if DL cares, they have people who could figure out a contract to handle the problems.
Jun 23, 2014, 11:49 am
#73
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I would think a starting place would be to re-negogisiate the contract with AirServ to put carrots and sticks into place to meet service metrics. I don't know if they have a flat rate, or are paid every time the airline puts in a request. We never know, but I would assume, if DL cares, they have people who could figure out a contract to handle the problems.
Jun 23, 2014, 2:37 pm
#74
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Do you and the SEIU posses stats that baseline what is acceptable or in compliance? Is 2nd or 3rd in the Delta system good or bad?
It does look like you are more interested in the hyperbole than anything else.
Jun 23, 2014, 4:08 pm
#75
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I am currently disabled. Had a bad car accident, lost my legs and am waiting on prosthetics.
I have a power wheelchair, so I don't deal with the pusher folks, but I do use the aisle chair to board and deplane the aircraft. I'm in the ATL airport 2-3 times per week and the large majority of the Airserv or Prospect folks (depending on the airport) are really great. I know a few in ATL very well and most of them remember me. There are some that are sour sacks, but it's a contractor so I ignore it and go see my favorite DL reps in the Sky Club.
That said, I have not found a friendly one of these folks in JFK yet.
I've complained three times to DL about issues concerning disabled accommodation.
Overall, I'm very happy. My wheelchair is always gate checked, so I don't have to deal with the pushers (except in China, where I have to collect the chair at oversize baggage). The folks who help me board in the aisle chair are usually nice. When I'm in GNV to visit my sister (undergrad at that terrible university), it's a small airport and everyone there knows my name and are truly exceptional - even the TSA folks. My guy Jama in Seattle actually stays past his scheduled hours to help me when he sees my name on the wheelchair schedule. I tip him well. I am told, though, that these wheelchair pushers are rarely tipped and I'm afraid that might lead to sour, grumpy folks.
Anyway, just some notes/observations from my own experiences.
I have a power wheelchair, so I don't deal with the pusher folks, but I do use the aisle chair to board and deplane the aircraft. I'm in the ATL airport 2-3 times per week and the large majority of the Airserv or Prospect folks (depending on the airport) are really great. I know a few in ATL very well and most of them remember me. There are some that are sour sacks, but it's a contractor so I ignore it and go see my favorite DL reps in the Sky Club.
That said, I have not found a friendly one of these folks in JFK yet.
I've complained three times to DL about issues concerning disabled accommodation.
1. Arrived to JFK from BOS and sat on the CR9 for an hour before the wheelchair lift was brought to the aircraft. There was another passenger also stuck onboard who needed the aisle chair as well. The wheelchair folks treated me with little respect and snapped at me because I didn't have a paper BP they could take for their records.
2. Another time in JFK - I arrived at the gate at t-1 hour to board the direct to SEA. Boarding started at t-35 and I was first down. Within two minutes, before I had even gotten on the plane, the GA began boarding BE. I had to wait for them to board, as I was also turning left on that 752. This was a DL issue, not a wheelchair contractor.
3. Flying GNV-ATL-LAS for a meeting. Ground crew drops my wheelchair from the cargo hold to the tarmac in ATL. I'm assigned a wheelchair pusher while they try to find a loaner power chair. I was rebooked to return to GNV, but had to wait 5 hours until my flight. The pusher takes me to the smoking lounge so I can smoke a cigar and call my client to cancel the meeting. He leaves to help at another gate and says he'll be back in an hour. He never shows - I sat in the lounge for nearly three hours. My wheelchair was totaled and an exact replica was built & delivered within two weeks. I wasn't upset - dropping the chair was an accident, but my pusher disappearing was not.
Each time, DL responded and gave me the government complaint number, but I never filed a complaint. I'll take the DL apology and some miles and move on.2. Another time in JFK - I arrived at the gate at t-1 hour to board the direct to SEA. Boarding started at t-35 and I was first down. Within two minutes, before I had even gotten on the plane, the GA began boarding BE. I had to wait for them to board, as I was also turning left on that 752. This was a DL issue, not a wheelchair contractor.
3. Flying GNV-ATL-LAS for a meeting. Ground crew drops my wheelchair from the cargo hold to the tarmac in ATL. I'm assigned a wheelchair pusher while they try to find a loaner power chair. I was rebooked to return to GNV, but had to wait 5 hours until my flight. The pusher takes me to the smoking lounge so I can smoke a cigar and call my client to cancel the meeting. He leaves to help at another gate and says he'll be back in an hour. He never shows - I sat in the lounge for nearly three hours. My wheelchair was totaled and an exact replica was built & delivered within two weeks. I wasn't upset - dropping the chair was an accident, but my pusher disappearing was not.
Overall, I'm very happy. My wheelchair is always gate checked, so I don't have to deal with the pushers (except in China, where I have to collect the chair at oversize baggage). The folks who help me board in the aisle chair are usually nice. When I'm in GNV to visit my sister (undergrad at that terrible university), it's a small airport and everyone there knows my name and are truly exceptional - even the TSA folks. My guy Jama in Seattle actually stays past his scheduled hours to help me when he sees my name on the wheelchair schedule. I tip him well. I am told, though, that these wheelchair pushers are rarely tipped and I'm afraid that might lead to sour, grumpy folks.
Anyway, just some notes/observations from my own experiences.