Can any of you LCAL folks explain to us LUAL types what they are and their "authority" is. I have been hearing rumors about "red Jackets" telling captains to fly jets they intend to "unable to operate" safely on the flight. Also threats of firing Captains and reassigning others to flights outside of contractual agreements. What's up here?

 

If you're talking about red coats...never seen or heard of examples you mentioned above. That is well outside their responsibilities and if they were so foolish, the Captains I know and have flown with on the 737 would professionally tell them to go xxxx themselves. You got an example?

 

Yes. There is an interesting thread on the other forum about a LUAL Cap refusing to fly an airplane with a mechanical issue.

A LCAL Customer Service rep found out that the issue was MEL-able and blew a gasket and had words with the Captain. Then CS tried to recruit deadheading F/O on flight to fly the plane. Needless to say, that wasn't going to happen. Then, CS told DH F/O that refusing to fly a plane at CAL would get you fired. Then got on PA and told pax to be sure and thank the pilots for canceling their flight!!

Now, if this is all true, and this is the way business is conducted at CAL WRT to Captains authority, aircraft refusals and Customer Service Agents, then this is one hell of a pathetic story and it seems to me that there is a serious breach of Captains Authority at LCAL. Please tell me that this was an aberration and that I have it all wrong.

***This doesn't imply that LUAL doesn't have some Marvins who would willingly do a transcon single engine or something equally idiotic even though perfectly legal. But, they are few and far between and we generally don't tolerate this type of treatment from CS. And when a plane is refused, the Captain speaks to, and answers Flight Ops personnel, not CS. Additionally, he doesn't get fired if his reasoning is valid. There would also be serious repercussions for the CS agent.

As it stands now, I am very proud of our "culture" where even a lowly First Officer can refuse to fly an airplane.

 

If true (not saying it's not) it is indeed an aberration. Never had anything remotely like this happen to me and the only issues I've had with CSA's have been non-rev related. That's not to say Captains Authority couldn't use some bolstering at L-CAL but more frequently the blame lies with the individual captain just being a big wuss.

 

The Red Coat at L-CAL is one of three people that oversee and have authority over the release of the aircraft. The Red Coat works in conjunction with the Captain and Dispatcher to ensure operational integrity. If ever there is a conflict between the three parties, the Red Coast has final authority.

That was all bs (just like fanning the paranoia flames). The Red Coast is a gate agent who is better trained to deal with things like disruptive passengers that need to removed from airplanes. The RC has absolutely no control over the aircraft or flight crew.

 

Very interesting story indeed. I would "guess" (whole heartedly bet) that this is a classic example of a tail getting taller the game of "telephone" is played out.

Bottom line, I don't recall reading anywhere in the FOM about the "red coat" having a mutual hand in the signing for/or dispatching of a flight. When their signature for the a/c is required, then they can open that pie hole, until such time.....they know where they can go.

 

You actually have the term\title "red coat" used in your FOM?

 

Good question. The term red coat has been has been changed to gate agent. These agents are essentially gate agent supervisors. There are also conflict resolution officers (CRO) and ground security coordinators (GSC). The CROs deal with medical/disability issues and GSCs typically deal with passenger issues other than medical/disability. GSCs are typically managers who have been trained in dealing with the type of problems that may arise.

A "red coat" might also be a CRO but I have always had a manager acting as a GSC.

For the most part the gate agents/CROs/GSCs do an excellent job and I always try to make them feel as if they are part of the team (which they are). Of course everyone is suffering from a little merger related stress and the agents are no different. They have suffered the synergy syndrome and are sometimes pulling their hair out trying to get a plane out on time.

 

Since when has the Continental Army ever been afraid of a few Red Coats

 

This sounds like an urban legend to me.