Outside executives
 

Lately it seems we are hiring executives from outside the company. These executives come in and make changes without the benefit of our culture. Other airlines do this. They bring in these execs and pay them outrageous salaries and they only stick around for two or three years then they leave with millions in parachute money. I just don’t think this practice is beneficial to jb or any other company for that matter. Why don’t we hire from within? We have many qualified crewmembers that live the culture not just pretend the culture.

Uuhh, do you think it has anything to do with the fact certain execs were great at running a mom-and-pop operation but are quickly getting in over their head? A.S. mentioned that specifically when he hired Bushy... whether good or bad.

For example, take the selection of CrewTrac as our main opertions software. It was chosen with absolutely no regard whatsoever to having more than 20 airplanes. With big league managers may very well come big league problems, but at least we'll avoid the small-fry mistakes. Just my 1/50th of a buck.

Respectfully,

JayDub

I agree with you to a point but why did A.S. allow that software to be used? You don't think he didn't know about its limitations do you? I remember hearing about CreTrac in the beginnng and if memory serves me they all knew the limitations of that software but that was all that was available in the short term.
Speaking of Mr Bushy, what, in your opinion, does he bring to this airline that someone within could not have accomplished?

Thank you for your opinion,

DD

Exactly my point. I won't say A.S. was out of his league, but let's just say they were all culpable and they obviously need help keeping their eye on the ball from someone that has managed more than a small fleet of planes.

As far as Bushy, I really don't think you can tell. Remember the recent e-mail explaining the December schedules and addressing some folks' issues that felt they should have been able to hold the holiday off? Who did that e-mail come from? I contend it came from the real director of ops, and not the title holder. What about the e-mail telling us they were taking the Admin Rights away from us. Who was the second signatory on that e-mail? Also, remember the POS contract we got July of '04? Remember Bushy had signed it, but do you think for a New York second he was the one that wrote it up? Heck no he didn't, but you didn't see an e-mail from the above named individual that time now did you?

I think it is impossible to judge anyone's performance until they are actually able to do their job. I am going to take a leap and guess your moniker is in reference to your JB seniority number. I know a lot of you double digit guys are in love with the above named individual from the days when he was the balance to Lanny. But remember, the "dark side" has moved on, there really is no evil empire for him to slay any more. That has been the most revealing move yet; Lanny leaving (well, sort of). Like they say, "Forest Hills packs the snowballs, and Bushy throws them". I think the above named individual is doing his fair share of packing. Until that ceases (and who knows if it ever will) I can't honestly answer your question.

Great dialogue.

Respectfully,

JayDub

I have a lot of respect for A.S.. Although a lot less now than in the beginning. I think he is the one "packing MOST of the snowballs" and Bushy was brought in to throw them. With Dave and David playing the we are out of the loop game it all works. That may have just answered my question about why we are bringing in outside people because an insider would be a little harder control because they believe in this place and the employee group and would be less likely to throw those snowballs.

My 2 Cents.

DD

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Please, pick your prize off the top shelf. LOL :D


Respectfully,

JayDub

Totally agree. When I came on I saw AS as the grandfather figure. He took lots of heat over that SWA percentage. He probably got tired of taking the heat everytime something needed to get done. I don't blame him. D3 was a good choice to take over the "hammer" position. AS is a pilot but his bottom line improves more when pilots are paid less and become more productive.
Would really like to understand how D3's contract works. Is it straight hourly pay or is there a performance bonus? If he saves more does his pay go up?
-Thanks for the thoughts

Let me just say, I truly believe that every single top executive has carefully cultivated their public image. I over heard one of the very top ones on the cell phone before he realized a crew member was right in front of him. Let's just say he sounded a whole lot different than what he pushes as his "persona".

In short, be careful when you bite too hard on the "culture" carrot. It might be a facade on certain levels.

Respectfully,

JayDub

Good advice. It's right up there with 'follow the money' and 'actions speak louder than words' when evaluating a given situation.

This is a business enterprise, not a flying club; which is something we sometimes lose sight of. There is NOTHING wrong with this, but we do have to accept the motivations and real responsibilities of our leadership team.