Originally Posted by RockyBoy

I know that, but the fact that the ALV jumps around so much makes it impossible for you to bid into a category and know if you will hold a block schedule or reserve unless you are at least above 55%. Most places, and I think NWA was this way, have the same number of lines every month. Lets say they determine that they will need a minimum of 68 lines every month. That is what they will have. If they end up with extra "open time" after they build those 68 lines because of the way people bid or the ALV changes, then they will put it into open time for line holders to swap with. The way we have it, you get all the time built into lines and end up with about 4 crappy trips left in open time so you cannot change anything on your schedule. I realize this may mean a few more guys get reserve, but it would also mean you will know month to month if you will get a line or not. I've lived under both type systems and far prefer the one where you kinda know what to expect instead of getting surprised every month.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

So I heard RA was jumpseating back to ATL and was left on the jetway by a gate agent who was desperate to get the plane out D0 or what have you and probably doesn't know who RA is. There was already a js but he was moving to FA js and RA went for his bag and she shut the door on him and pulled the gate off.

Um... not smart. But also welcome to gate agents hell.

Originally Posted by buzzpat

Its not gonna matter. VA Tech is going to win the national championship anyway. Go Hokies!

Originally Posted by satchip

Is that the same VT that Alabama completely undressed on national tv?

Originally Posted by Scoop

No ****! This is symptomatic of a much bigger issue at DAL-empowering your employees vice micro-managing them. If this story is true, it is great for us that it happened. The D-0 emphasis is one of the most misguided attempts at one size fits all management fiats that I have seen. I was departing on A concourse the other day in the bad weather and the aircraft in the very next gate was closed out with about 10-12 distraught passengers begging to be put on. The Gate agent would not do it even though the Rampers were still loading bags - totally pathetic but I don't blame the gate agent because this is the exact thing our sometimes clueless management asks for, D-0 at all costs.

Could anyone see this happening at Southwest? Or a Southwest agent closing the door on an employee, let alone a CEO type? Now, don't get wrong, Southwest is not management nirvana either, but they definitely empower their employees, which is a common factor within "great" companies. How about giving gate agents a little flexibility and trusting them to make good decisions? I agree we must put a very high emphasis on an on-time operation, but there are times when D-0 is the totally wrong option. But of course if gate agents are graded on their D-0 times that is what you will get. D-0, CEO, employees, passengers left at the gate be dammed.

What really gets me going on this issue is seeing a single gate agent working a 757 flight. They leave the gate to drive the jetway promptly after being called by ramp and told gate XXX has no jetway driver. Passengers all lined up, with no one working the gate. Can this be done-yes. Do we do it - yes. Is the good customer service - not in the least. But hey, passengers only want a cheap ticket so screw customer service.

This is where DAL has to decide, are we actually going to try to be a great airline and provide great service, or are we going to slug it out on trying to provide the cheapest possible, most outsourced to the lowest bidder product? All the while, by the way, proclaiming to be a great airline.

Hey R.A. Great companies and organizations empower people - figure it out.

Scoop

Originally Posted by georgetg

I thought I just read about shifting our ephasis to A-0 and let captains and dispachers decide on the cost index...

Cheers
George

Originally Posted by tsquare

Hmmm.. moving from California... define cheap.