American Airlines has been feeling the pains of bankruptcy recently with ongoing lawsuits, arguments with unions, and pilots purposely delaying planes. A recent post-bankruptcy decision has been causing planes to be delayed even more. A Dallas Morning News article says that changing aircraft cleaning from an American Airlines employed union to a non-union contractor (Airserv) which has meant “hundreds of American Airline’s flights have been delayed” due to inexperienced employees.
As a current active worker at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, I have seen the airport personally change dramatically over the past year. While the airport has experienced rapid growth with new international carriers, the airport is American’s hub and as such is directly tied to American’s well being. Airserv only recently entered DFW airport providing wheelchair and golf cart service to American’s disabled customers and after hour ground servicing of planes. Many of the employees were transferred from another contractor under the name “Prospect”.
One of the problems mentioned in the article is that workers don’t have proper badge access for cleaning the aircraft. Badges are expensive (about $150 for a one year access badge) and require additional training for the SATA badge that is required for aircraft cleaners. In the past American got around this problem by having the cleaning crew supervisor “escort” fellow employees onto the aircraft. A SATA badge holder can escort approximately 7 others through security. It is unclear why Airserv did not exploit this same option. When working at the airport I was issued a badge although a less expensive non-SATA “green” badge.
It is a disappointment that American could not make this adjustment more smoothly. I really like the way WestJet takes care of aircraft cleaning. No cleaning crew just flight attendants, the captain and 1st officer make sure the plane is ready for its next flight. If American adopted this model they could have been avoided the hassle of this situation.
sources:
http://www.janiservinc.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aircraft-cleaning.jpg
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/morning_call/2012/11/american-airlines-flights-delayed-by.html