atlmsl

Are you seriously saying that the new management caused the economy to tank so bad that our flying was reduced enough to cause a furlough? Or that we weren't overstaffed at the time of the furlough?

Come on. I know it's tough right now. But this isn't a normal economic time. Look around, ASA isn't the only one.

gtechpilot

The company could have justified more than 80 furloughs because of economic conditions several times in the last decade but chose not to. In 30 years of existence as a company, they did not furlough until this year under the new management. They are likely to furlough 60 or more this fall, but you still trust them?

I'm not saying management doesn't have the company's best interest in mind, but you should not fully trust the company to have your (or my) best interest in mind.

BTW, based on management's prior actions, I fully expect to be furloughed this fall. I'm also fully prepared for it - I'm not resentful or worried but if management truly wanted my trust, then my job should be secure. Ask all the ground crews who are jobless (or soon to be) right now how much they trust management.

atlmsl

I think you're confused on the role of management. Management exists to run a profitable business, not to supply jobs to employees. There is NO doubt that we were overstaffed in the winter and might still be overstaffed come fall. I trust our new management to run a good business. Just because I have CLOSE friends on furlough doesn't mean they are doing a bad job. You need to take emotion out of your view of business.

There is NOTHING management could have done to save our ground personnel. Have you seen the ops at some of these new places? Understaffed and working with broken equipment. ASA had no chance to win those bids. And they should NOT submit a bid that is not profitable just to supply jobs. And I think the ground crews are more ****ed at Delta then ASA. I have talked with many of them. Maybe you should.

John Pennekamp

Ok, mr smart guy, instead of shooting down mine, let's hear your prediction. We'll see who's closer in 6 mos.

John Pennekamp

What would you say if I told you I know for a fact that Brad Holt fought the SKW BOD on the furloughs? They wanted him to immediately furlough all furloughable pilots last Oct and he fought them. He finally compromised in January and furloughed the 80. As you may recall, I mentioned this last Oct that furloughs were coming because I heard about this last Oct that SKY was demanding ASA cut the fat. Brad fought for us as much as he could while still keeping his job. Don't write him off yet.

gtechpilot

I'm not confused, I've talked to may of our station staff and I have no emotions vested in the discussion. So why get personal?

Philosophical difference here - if you treat your employees well and guarantee job security through good times and bad, you will be rewarded with a more productive workforce. It's not unrealistic, but it's definitely not a common business plan in the US.

There's also no question that we are understaffed right now. Instructor pilots are bidding FO lines and we run through the entire reserve list every weekend.

And, again, we have a philosophical difference - I have seen a noticeable decline in the moral of the captains I fly with and a serious increase in anxiety for those who are furlough or downgrade fodder this fall. Though harder to quantify, poor moral can effect the bottom line just as badly as the 80 furloughs.

I agree that there is not much that ASA could have done to outbid then new Delta ops Borg. But ASA could have done more to reward the loyalty of the multiple 20+ year employees at the stations we've lost. Instead, ASA is content to wash their hands of the mess while proclaiming 'not our fault'!

If I get furloughed this fall, I understand that this management considers it a good business decision. I simply disagree. I don't like the prospect of being furloughed, but I bend over backwards (and will continue to do so) to keep flights ontime and to make the company look good because it is in my best interest to see the company succeed. I will not, however, trust our management to have my best interests at heart.

FlyASA

I agree completely, they are looking out for the long term health of the company by getting more 700s and 900s. You are correct, the 50 seaters are going away eventually so they might as well get something out of them while they still have the bargaining power.

I've been very happy with the new management so far and have no reason to mistrust them. They don't run a social welfare program so they have to have the best interests of the company first. That said they do seem to genuinely care about the employees and their well being.

gtechpilot

I am honestly impressed with Brad and his management of ASA. He is very responsive and available and I would not doubt what you say. I will also point out that many SKW pilots say he had a very different management style until he came here. Not writing him off, but I'm not about to trust our management to have my best interests in mind.

atlmsl

I never said that management has our best interest as a human being at heart. I said I trust management to run a successful business. What is typically good for a business (ie. growth) is good for the employees. THAT'S where I trust them. They have not given me a reason to distrust their ability to run a profitable airline in an unprofitable economy. That's all I meant by my previous statements. When the economy rebounds I feel that we will be in a good position. I hope our furloughed pilots are back on property as soon as possible. But I also know that management will not bring them back until they are needed (for more than 3 months) because they have an obligation to ALL employees to be profitable.

somertime32

I think it's going to be a long time before I get called back to asa. My guess would be 2011 unless something big happens but who really knows. Some days I don't even think it will happen. That way when it does happen it's sooner then I thought therefore I win....hahaha