Monday, April 18, 2011
Questions Of The Month
Imagine paying a group of people to troubleshoot, diagnose, and fix a problem but then requiring them to call you EVERY time they change a part to get your blessing on putting the correct part in. Why would you not just pay some non-skilled person to describe the problem to you and change the part you want them too? What does this do to the employee? How can it be fixed?
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My exact question when I had to call Maintenance Control, who has to call Records for a conference call between the three of us to determine whether I put in the right coffeemaker into the forward galley!
ReplyDeleteYep, I know. The plane just might auger in from 40,00 feet when the flight attendant presses the “Brew” button! I think Jesus might shave his beard before that happens!
So why do we have to get an okay on all parts that we put on the plane? Got me? One coffeemaker fits EVERY plane we have. I could put the damn thing on a -200 and it would be ok.
Its called fear, subtext paranoia. Fear of the FAA and their “all I know is paperwork, not the how-to part” of being fined and paranoia that mechanics make MORE mistakes than RIGHT decisions.
What has changed in, say ten tears? The way we think about the pressure that is put on us as mechanics. I know that I spent ALL the time I fixed something on an aircraft on what I was doing and how to do it correctly. Now I have to devote part of my mind to whether I’m following the CURRENT (not what was or will be in 2 weeks) directions of the company and also whether an FAA “official” will read something
wrong into my sign-off and I get a LOI.
This is not the mind set I want to work under. I want to be there for my work, not my worries. When all is said and done, I think that we (SWA Mechanics) are doing a BETTER job NOW than 10 years ago. We have successfully met the challenges that have plagued our aging aircraft and met them well. Of the more than several airlines I have worked for in the past, SWA has been the ONLY one that I can honestly say has toed the line and continued to put out the best maintenance I have EVER seen.
“Nuff said.
I haven't been missing days and swings this year...that is for sure--I was truly frustrated the other day whilst working days/eve--forgot the terminology for the person who was to give me the ok for the part I was putting in--so I ask MX CTRL (since I had to talk with them anyhow--cat III verif--isn't that the same cup of tea!!) something to effect what about this number I have to get to verify the part number is right...?? He in his infinite wisdom sends me to AOG of all places -- and they knew -fortunately- instantly who I needed and what I was talking about.... (still can't meanwhile I just barely averted a delay---probably by the grace of the gate agent...
ReplyDeleteOh c'mon now, will you please stop crying about this and that and just get the plane out of town already???!!! Jeez, if the overlords in management wanted you to have any powers they'd have granted them to you, but apparently you're not worthy, so therefore you get what you get.
ReplyDeleteHey "Goat!" Get a firm grip and understand that this is Great, Wonderful Stuff. For some reason, you run away and hide after each post and e never hear from you - for ages. Why so long? Your readers know where you work and your colleagues certainly know who you are. SWA knows who you are and, since you are mostly positive, they won't fuck with your First Amendment rights. WIth all of that in the pot, it IS safe to write a bit more and I enjoy the posts. At the very end of the day, reporting the facts and the sequence of events cannot and will not irritate anyone, including SWA. As a reader, I'm interested in how fuctions happen on the ramp (and maintenance areas)but I don't give a twit about management'c decision to cancel or fly a give leg. I like the mechanical stuff and how you folks respond to whatever issues may arise, but the spans are just too long. This is NOT about labor or union stuff, but just a serious interest in reality wrenching on airplanes. Pleas post more often.
ReplyDelete??Why do I have to hit it THREE TIMES, before the funny word comes up and I get a confirmation thing? Yup! Three Send Hits before the first message is really acceptped or sent. What gives?? -C.
ReplyDeleteLooking for a crash pad near the CLT airport. I report on Monday,9/19/11. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Please contact me @ 727-502-7614. My name is Ken.
ReplyDelete