Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The FAA’s announced delay for implementation of stricter pilot training and
experience rules has outraged the families who lost loved ones in the crash of
Colgan 3407…Interim FAA Chief Michael Huerta made his case to be named the full time FAA
chief on Thursday
Airline and Industry
A bankruptcy judge has postponed a ruling on whether to void contracts between
American Airlines and its unions. Judge Sean Lane will rule June 29.
Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways mechanics this week approved a proposal for creating a single seniority list. The
airlines' customer service agents, customer support and service employees and
stock clerks are still negotiating seniority agreements.
Boeing predicts strong demand for its 747-8 from overseas
markets. "We see a big market to the Middle East and Asia. There are a lot of
discussions going on in those places," said Tony Simpson of Boeing Capital Corp.
Columnist Mitchell Schnurman says Doug Parker, the CEO of US Airways, is
continuing on his quest for a merger with American Airlines. "With Parker and US
Airways, you can't rule out anything, and that's part of their appeal. These are
the upstarts who have changed the conversation, the risk-takers who want to
change the game," writes Schnurman.
Fred Smith, the founder and CEO of FedEx, said the air freight business "is not growing." Smith
says FedEx will unveil a program in October to cut costs.
"If Comair’s 50-seaters are parked and either the CRJ900s or
CRJ700s are used in two-for-one deal with other contract carriers, Comair could
be unviable as a carrier," says a source. Delta did not offer a comment on
Comair's future…Tom Horton, the CEO of AMR Corp., has asked a bondholder group
to consider a stand-alone plan for American Airlines before a
merger plan proposed by US Airways, sources say. The bondholders hold $700
million of debt for AMR Corp., which filed for bankruptcy in November.
The three largest unions at American Airlines support a merger with US Airways…The Allied Pilots
Association, which represents pilots at American Airlines, have declined to send the carrier's latest offer to members for a
vote.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Seniority Integration Committee Members To Meet In EWR
On Wednesday, June 20th, our seniority integration committee chairman, Brad Himes, will be traveling to Newark to meet with the other seniority integration committee chairs. This will be the first meeting where the panel, made up of 5 members from sCAL, 5 from sUAL, and 1 from Air Mic, will have a chance to discuss the integration of the seniority lists. I will update this blog as information about the meeting become available.
Airline Division Week In Review - June 17, 2012
Despite Announcement of Job Losses in IAH, RUL will Protect UAL/IBT Members
Since United announcement of the loss of 1,300 jobs in Houston as a result of the UAL/CAL merger, many members have expressed concern over their future. Thanks to the foresight of the union and the adoption of the Resource Utilization >Letter, (RUL) signed by management and the union, they can be assured of their positions because the letter provides all United Airlines Teamsters station protection, meaning no employee will be involuntary displaced under the RUL.
CAL employees also have furlough protection in their CBA.
“While we have had a few questions concerning what departments the 1,300 workers will come from, many have forgotten about the letters existence,” said Robert Rasch, Business Agent for Local 19. “It’s value may have been questioned by some before, however in this case we have a clear view of the correctness of the decision to negotiate the letter,” he concluded.
Negotiations for Atlas Air Flight Dispatchers Stall over Management Delaying Tactics
Despite a commitment from management to conclude negotiations in the June meeting, negotiators for Atlas Air flight dispatchers ended their latest round of meetings without concluding an agreement and a refusal by the company to proceed in a timely manner.
While there was some progress on many of the open areas of Article 3-Compensation, considerable disagreement remains over the major sections of the Article.
In a message to their members, the negotiators said:
“The company’s compensation proposals do not reflect the level of performance and dedication on the part of Atlas-Polar Dispatchers that the Company has acknowledged outside of the bargaining process. Their proposals appear to completely dismiss the challenges that we are faced with daily in keeping the fleet moving safely and efficiently, and how most of these issues never come up on anyone’s radar as it is has always been our practice to deal quietly with daily crises. What we are now seeing and hearing again from the company is that they aren’t willing to do more than the status-quo. This at a time that the executives of our company are presenting to the Board of Directors the reasons that their own compensation should be increased. They choose not recognize our contribution to the Company’s profitability by sharing the rewards of the Company’s success with us, but instead, want to keep us well below the industry standard.”
“The company’s pledge to work through this session until we reached agreement was apparently another move to divide our group,” the message went on to say. “To break our will, to a point where we might accept something less than we have worked so hard to attain, less than we deserve, at a time that the company that we helped succeed reports record profits. This impression is further reinforced by the company’s decision not to give us any time to negotiate in July.”
This was reinforced by the company’s refusal to work late on one day, despite their previous commitment to do so, and then leave early the following and refusal to work over the weekend as they had previously committed.
“We are deeply concerned by the Company’s intransigence and have asked the leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for help. We will be discussing different strategies to deal with the company if they persist in their approach. The company continues to tell us that they would like to close this deal, but their actions prevent that from happening,” the message went on to say.
GE Caledonia Workers Vote to Unionize, Get Support from Teamsters
Despite management threats to cancel multi million dollar expansion plans if they were successful, the employees of GE in Ayrshire, Scotland have voted to join Unite the Union. The facility, which already had unionized members held a formal recognition vote when local managers refused to acknowledge the union, despite the fact that every other GE facility in the United Kingdom has recognized the union.
GE’s Scotland division builds, maintains and overhauls jet engines including the CF6 series, used on many commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400 and 767, operated by many Teamster represented flight crews and the new GenX engine, on the new Boeing 747-8F, being flown by Teamster represented flight crews at Atlas Air (Local 1224).
Upon notification of the vote, Unite Scotland’s senior organiser Rozanne Foyer said: “This is a fantastic result achieved through the sheer hard work and perseverance of our members in GE Caledonian – it’s been a monumental effort to achieve this recognition.
In a time of great economic uncertainty, the workforce has moved to protect and advance their terms and conditions of employment in the most effective way possible; through a recognised trade union that bargains collectively. Unite has long-established and positive working relationships with many employers in the industry, including other GE Aviation sites in the UK. We welcome the further growth of Unite within GE Aviation and look forward to continuing our proud tradition of progressive employment relations across the aviation sector.”
Billy Donohoe, Team Leader of the Scottish Region Organizing for Unite sent his thanks to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the representatives and locals who helped them in their fight.
“We’re very proud to have been part of the IBT team that leant our support to the GE workers,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “When we learned that GE was trying to use UPS as intimidation against the employees, Package Division Director and International Vice President Ken Hall asked me to join him in a letter of support to the GE workers. Additionally, we conveyed to UPS management our clear support of the employees’ right to unionize. I know that Vice President Hall joins me and indeed all Teamsters, as we extend our congratulations to the workers of GE Caledonia, not only for their win, but also for the continued excellent work they do on the aircraft engines that are operated by Teamster represented flight crews,” he concluded.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
A Federal Aviation Administration official acknowledges that there likely will be a pilot shortage in the U.S. soon. "This is an interesting dilemma for the aviation community," said John Duncan of the FAA. A new rule requires first officers to have 1,500 flight hours to qualify for Part 121 operations…The acting FAA Administrator could be long shot for the job…Boeing is being joined by many others as opposing the FAA proposal for a fuel tank fix for its 757 cargo jets.
Industry and Labor
Jet-engine manufacturers are seeing demand dwindle as airlines aim to save cash rather than purchase new engines…US Airways held its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday in New York, and executives said a possible merger with American Airlines has strong support in financial markets.
A judge has issued an order temporarily stopping a union election drive for passenger service agents at American Airlines. The National Mediation Board had allowed the election, scheduled to start June 21, but the carrier says the board used outdated criteria to determine whether the election had enough worker support.
Psst…wanna buy an airplane? Boeing 747-400s are available at bargain prices, thanks to the higher cost of fuel. Ten-year-old models of the most popular wide-body plane sell for $36 million, Ascend Worldwide says.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Mechanics Dispatch for June 6, 2012
Contract Proposals Reminder
Locals are currently accepting proposals for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please see your Steward or Business Agent to receive a proposal form. The Airline Division has a proposal form available online as a backup which can be accessed at http://surveygoldplus.com/s/2B85473BE6084779/33.htm. Proposals must be completed by June 15th so that the Steering Committee has time to prepare for their meeting July 9th. The System Steering Committee is scheduled to meet in SFO the week of July 9th, in IAH the week of July 16th and in DEN the week of July 30th. During these sessions, your System Steering Committee will be taking members’ proposals and incorporating them into an opening proposal format.
Paper Certificates expire March 31, 2013.
All paper certificate holders cannot exercise the privileges of their PAPER certificates after March 31, 2013. This includes all certificates that are issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65. 14 CFR 63.15(d) and 65.15(d) reads: Duration of Certificates. Except for temporary certificates issued under §63.15 and 65.15, the holder of a paper certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2013. To Change your certificate number from your SSN and request a replacement, click here: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/change_certificate_number/ To replace your Airmen Certificate, click here: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/certificate_replacement/ NOTE: If your flight engineer or flight navigator certificate was issued on the basis of a foreign license under 14 CFR Part 63.23, you must first apply for a verification of authenticity of your foreign license. You may visit our website for more information and to obtain the verification form. Your foreign license must first be verified with the CM
prior to making application with the IFO or FSDO to replace your paper certificate. If your airman certificate was issued after July 2003 and is a plastic certificate, it already meets the paper to plastic rule as specified in 14 CFR Parts 63 and 65 and you may disregard this notification.
Sub UA GSE/Facilities Committee Meets
Last week members of the sub UA GSE/Facilities Committee met with Ray Ames and managers from the largest hubs to discuss items relating to the new CBA. Items discussed involved payroll issues, facilities insourcing opportunities as well as the bidding of ground equipment/facilities machinists and welders. An agreement was reached to open bids for ground equipment and facilities machinists and welders at the meeting. More details will follow in the coming weeks regarding these positions. Scott Baroni (Local 781), Allen Cosides (Local 210), Dion Cornelious and Greg Sullivan (Local 986) Ken Meidinger (Local 455), Business Agent Dave Elmore, and Division Representative Bob Fisher were in attendance for the Union.
Notice from Local 210 Regarding 757 Engine Runs
The following notice was issued by Local 210. The advice contained in the notice applies to all 757 run-up mechanics. Recently it has been brought to the Union’s attention that the Company is considering mechanics that are taxi/run qualified on 757 aircraft with Rolls Royce (RR) engines to also be qualified on 757 aircraft with Pratt and Whitney (PW) engines. This has caused great concern and angst with the membership. The Company has taken the position that as long as you use the proper checklists and maintenance manual references you are OK to taxi/run both. A MSAP was filed by our Local UAL safety representative and the response was, in part, that a “Fleet” type is a term donating a group, not a specific aircraft engine combination. For example, the 757 aircraft is certified (type certificate) with multiple engine combinations (RR, PW) as a single fleet. All similar fleet types have been examined for physical and procedural differences to validate, or not, the grandfathering process. Findings yield no significant differences that can’t be mitigated with existing controls and mechanisms already in place. Those controls are the mechanics checklists, the controlled manual system, and the policies. With that being said, if at any time an AMT is not comfortable with their ability to perform any assignment, it is imperative that they bring this to the attention of the supervisor and request assistance or reassignment. We urge all members to err towards the side of caution. Make sure you take the time to review the proper procedures (engine start, parameters, etc.) before hastily performing a taxi/engine run on the 757 aircraft. Thank you for your time and if you have any questions feel free to contact the Union office.
Best Wishes to Early Out Participants at sub UA
If you were to ask a retiring sub UAL mechanic what he will miss the most, he would likely say the people. And those that remain regret seeing a few hundred fellow coworkers, and their accumulative years of experience, leave. During their average thirty years of cumulative service at United Airlines, the retirees have worked directly on or a sub assembly of the 727-100, 200 series, the first productions of the 747-100, the 737-100,200,300 and 500 series, the original and the reengineered Douglas DC-8s, and the DC-10s. All that remains of these great era aircraft which have been relegated to the boneyard are the wonderful people who spent their adult lives caring for them. These are the people that took the time to show us the way just as they had been shown. They helped fuel the fire of pride inside us-- the pride of being a United Airlines mechanic. These are the people that helped fight for the wages and benefits we all enjoy today. These people are our brothers and sisters who set an example for us by always conducting themselves professionally. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude. From all of us that remain to continue the fight, we will miss you and wish you the very best in your retirement.
National AMT Day May 24th was national AMT day.
SFO Chief Steward Engine Shop, Steve Anderson, sent along the following: “Charles E. Taylor was born on May 24, 1868. After settling in Ohio he grew into a career as a machinist. By designing, fabricating and repairing the first aircraft engine, he became the first aircraft mechanic. While working in a bicycle shop, Charles used the shops lathe, drill press and grinder to build an aluminum block engine which only weighed 180 pounds and produced 12 horse power. Created in only six weeks, this engine became the historic first aeroplane flown by the Wright Brothers in 1903. Charles died in 1956 at the age of 88, sharing the date with Orville Wright.” Please remember it this way: "The Wright Brothers made the glider but Charles E. Taylor made the glider an Aeroplane."
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses.
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent. If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: ESC@united.com . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.
Useful links
If you would like to see a link added to this list please contact Bob Fisher at: rcfisher7@yahoo.com Airline Mechanics Forum Airline Mechanics forum (This is a good place to discuss merger related items) The following Locals represent these respective cities: Boston Local 25 New York & Washington Local 210 Charleston & Atlanta Local 528 Miami & Orlando Local 769 Cleveland Local 964 Chicago Local 781 Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19 Phoenix Local 104 Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 986 San Francisco Local 856/986 Denver Local 455
Locals are currently accepting proposals for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please see your Steward or Business Agent to receive a proposal form. The Airline Division has a proposal form available online as a backup which can be accessed at http://surveygoldplus.com/s/2B85473BE6084779/33.htm. Proposals must be completed by June 15th so that the Steering Committee has time to prepare for their meeting July 9th. The System Steering Committee is scheduled to meet in SFO the week of July 9th, in IAH the week of July 16th and in DEN the week of July 30th. During these sessions, your System Steering Committee will be taking members’ proposals and incorporating them into an opening proposal format.
Paper Certificates expire March 31, 2013.
All paper certificate holders cannot exercise the privileges of their PAPER certificates after March 31, 2013. This includes all certificates that are issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65. 14 CFR 63.15(d) and 65.15(d) reads: Duration of Certificates. Except for temporary certificates issued under §63.15 and 65.15, the holder of a paper certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2013. To Change your certificate number from your SSN and request a replacement, click here: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/change_certificate_number/ To replace your Airmen Certificate, click here: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/certificate_replacement/ NOTE: If your flight engineer or flight navigator certificate was issued on the basis of a foreign license under 14 CFR Part 63.23, you must first apply for a verification of authenticity of your foreign license. You may visit our website for more information and to obtain the verification form. Your foreign license must first be verified with the CM
prior to making application with the IFO or FSDO to replace your paper certificate. If your airman certificate was issued after July 2003 and is a plastic certificate, it already meets the paper to plastic rule as specified in 14 CFR Parts 63 and 65 and you may disregard this notification.
Sub UA GSE/Facilities Committee Meets
Last week members of the sub UA GSE/Facilities Committee met with Ray Ames and managers from the largest hubs to discuss items relating to the new CBA. Items discussed involved payroll issues, facilities insourcing opportunities as well as the bidding of ground equipment/facilities machinists and welders. An agreement was reached to open bids for ground equipment and facilities machinists and welders at the meeting. More details will follow in the coming weeks regarding these positions. Scott Baroni (Local 781), Allen Cosides (Local 210), Dion Cornelious and Greg Sullivan (Local 986) Ken Meidinger (Local 455), Business Agent Dave Elmore, and Division Representative Bob Fisher were in attendance for the Union.
Notice from Local 210 Regarding 757 Engine Runs
The following notice was issued by Local 210. The advice contained in the notice applies to all 757 run-up mechanics. Recently it has been brought to the Union’s attention that the Company is considering mechanics that are taxi/run qualified on 757 aircraft with Rolls Royce (RR) engines to also be qualified on 757 aircraft with Pratt and Whitney (PW) engines. This has caused great concern and angst with the membership. The Company has taken the position that as long as you use the proper checklists and maintenance manual references you are OK to taxi/run both. A MSAP was filed by our Local UAL safety representative and the response was, in part, that a “Fleet” type is a term donating a group, not a specific aircraft engine combination. For example, the 757 aircraft is certified (type certificate) with multiple engine combinations (RR, PW) as a single fleet. All similar fleet types have been examined for physical and procedural differences to validate, or not, the grandfathering process. Findings yield no significant differences that can’t be mitigated with existing controls and mechanisms already in place. Those controls are the mechanics checklists, the controlled manual system, and the policies. With that being said, if at any time an AMT is not comfortable with their ability to perform any assignment, it is imperative that they bring this to the attention of the supervisor and request assistance or reassignment. We urge all members to err towards the side of caution. Make sure you take the time to review the proper procedures (engine start, parameters, etc.) before hastily performing a taxi/engine run on the 757 aircraft. Thank you for your time and if you have any questions feel free to contact the Union office.
Best Wishes to Early Out Participants at sub UA
If you were to ask a retiring sub UAL mechanic what he will miss the most, he would likely say the people. And those that remain regret seeing a few hundred fellow coworkers, and their accumulative years of experience, leave. During their average thirty years of cumulative service at United Airlines, the retirees have worked directly on or a sub assembly of the 727-100, 200 series, the first productions of the 747-100, the 737-100,200,300 and 500 series, the original and the reengineered Douglas DC-8s, and the DC-10s. All that remains of these great era aircraft which have been relegated to the boneyard are the wonderful people who spent their adult lives caring for them. These are the people that took the time to show us the way just as they had been shown. They helped fuel the fire of pride inside us-- the pride of being a United Airlines mechanic. These are the people that helped fight for the wages and benefits we all enjoy today. These people are our brothers and sisters who set an example for us by always conducting themselves professionally. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude. From all of us that remain to continue the fight, we will miss you and wish you the very best in your retirement.
National AMT Day May 24th was national AMT day.
SFO Chief Steward Engine Shop, Steve Anderson, sent along the following: “Charles E. Taylor was born on May 24, 1868. After settling in Ohio he grew into a career as a machinist. By designing, fabricating and repairing the first aircraft engine, he became the first aircraft mechanic. While working in a bicycle shop, Charles used the shops lathe, drill press and grinder to build an aluminum block engine which only weighed 180 pounds and produced 12 horse power. Created in only six weeks, this engine became the historic first aeroplane flown by the Wright Brothers in 1903. Charles died in 1956 at the age of 88, sharing the date with Orville Wright.” Please remember it this way: "The Wright Brothers made the glider but Charles E. Taylor made the glider an Aeroplane."
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses.
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent. If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: ESC@united.com . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.
Useful links
If you would like to see a link added to this list please contact Bob Fisher at: rcfisher7@yahoo.com Airline Mechanics Forum Airline Mechanics forum (This is a good place to discuss merger related items) The following Locals represent these respective cities: Boston Local 25 New York & Washington Local 210 Charleston & Atlanta Local 528 Miami & Orlando Local 769 Cleveland Local 964 Chicago Local 781 Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19 Phoenix Local 104 Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 986 San Francisco Local 856/986 Denver Local 455
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Airline Division Week In Review June 3, 2012
Airline Industry News
Government and Industry
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to meet with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association over a plan to consolidate air traffic control towers -- nine days before the plan is due to Congress…President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed the bill renewing the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. "As long as our global competitors are providing financing for their exports, we've got to do the same," Obama said before he signed the bill.
The U.S. has reached agreements to recognize European Union and Canadian security procedures for screening air cargo…The Federal Aviation Administration was scheduled to hold a public meeting this week for input on offering incentives to outfit aircraft with NextGen equipment. The incentives would apply to commercial and general aviation aircraft.
Airlines and Industry
EADS, the parent company of Airbus, may apply for a banking license to ensure that the European company can continue to offer financing for its aircraft, the company says.
AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, this week will begin mediation supervised by a bankruptcy court with its unions…US Airways Group and TPG, a private investment firm, are considering a joint bid to buy American Airlines' parent company, AMR Corp., sources say.
A lawsuit by the former TWA pilots against American is unfounded, the pilots union says.
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