Outsourcing
 

Some Red Tail Flyer Talk folks hope that replacing the NWA US Based FAs with Asian FAs could result in friendlier, more gracious service, while helping to keep ticket prices low. Other posters have some sympathy for the FAs who are losing their jobs on October 31, and for the up-to 3000 additional FAs who may be furloughed some time next year.
Many soon to be furloughed FAs believe that they are in a unique situation with this type of potential outsourcing. Yet, one poster made an analogy, comparing the airlines to the computer industry.
Actually, my question to the forum is: How have YOUR services been outsourced, and what did you need to do to overcome the loss of your position or sources of income?

Many of you are business savvy.
What have you done to survive and thrive??

I doubt an FA could try this, but I heard of some IT people outsourcing themselves and keeping the profit :-)

NW??????

I think it's called being a "consultant" <lol>

Bob H

Actually many of them could try taking the class for the 121 carriers. They make GREAT money compared to the Majors. I guess you could call that outsourcing.

While I feel bad for the 3K being let go, something I have learned owning my own small business (that I never thought about as an employee) is it is a LOT cheaper to use consultants than to have employees. Employees cost a company AT LEAST 150% of their salary to have. When you have consultants/outsourcing you no longer have to pay sick days, personal days, health insurance, disability insurance, a ton of taxes you have to pay on employees (fica, disability, social security). You also limit your paperwork and the other employment guidelines that are pure BS.

From a human point of view it would seem phasing this in as jobs open up would be "kinder and gentler" but from a cost cutting point of view NW is making a wise decision on this.

As for if current FA's could outsource themselves, most would be unwilling to lose the benefits they had to do it. Others would be prohibited by being part of a union.