Comments on: Un-American Airlines http://thehangover.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/un-american-airlines/ Sometimes it hurts. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:05:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Frank57 http://thehangover.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/un-american-airlines/#comment-297 Frank57 Tue, 06 May 2008 04:25:05 +0000 http://thehangover.wordpress.com/?p=55#comment-297 I have no connection to AA, the skycaps, or Logan Airport. Yet when I read about the "no tipping" policy, it struck a nerve and really infuriated me. Those guys work hard, are usually pleasant, and they deserve a few extra bucks for their effort. How dare they deny me the privilege of acknowledging that? So I wrote to AA last week in protest, and got this very legalistic and repulsive reply today: "Since we are in the process of appealing the verdict and seeking a new trial, a process that could take some time, we felt immediate changes were necessary to ensure we are in full compliance with Massachusetts law. The best way to ensure that, we feel, is to prohibit tipping for curbside baggage check-in (or any other assistance with checked bags at Logan) and not be covered by the complex Massachusetts tips law, which was recently amended further by the Massachusetts Legislature. "In addition, our third-party vendor for curbside check in (G2 Services) has advised us they will raise hourly pay rates for skycaps to be in full compliance with federal wage laws. The majority of Boston skycaps are employees of G2, not American Airlines." Translation: Rather than comply with the court and fork over a a few dollars, we would rather screw the skycaps and deny them the right to earn a living wage. Our company's survival is more important than treating people decently. Oh, and it limits the damage from losing the appeal, doesn't it? This is an incredibly vile way to treat people. I replied to AA that while we all have to live within the law, we also have a higher duty to treat their people with respect. So until they change how they treat skycaps, I will never do business with them anymore. What other leverage do we have to get companies like these to change their ways? I have no connection to AA, the skycaps, or Logan Airport. Yet when I read about the “no tipping” policy, it struck a nerve and really infuriated me. Those guys work hard, are usually pleasant, and they deserve a few extra bucks for their effort. How dare they deny me the privilege of acknowledging that? So I wrote to AA last week in protest, and got this very legalistic and repulsive reply today:

“Since we are in the process of appealing the verdict and
seeking a new trial, a process that could take some time, we felt immediate changes were necessary to ensure we are in full compliance with Massachusetts law. The best way to ensure that, we feel, is to prohibit tipping for curbside baggage check-in (or any other assistance with checked bags at Logan) and not be covered by the complex Massachusetts tips law, which was recently amended further by the Massachusetts Legislature.

“In addition, our third-party vendor for curbside check in (G2 Services) has advised us they will raise hourly pay rates for skycaps to be in full compliance with federal wage laws. The majority of Boston skycaps are employees of G2, not American Airlines.”

Translation: Rather than comply with the court and fork over a a few dollars, we would rather screw the skycaps and deny them the right to earn a living wage. Our company’s survival is more important than treating people decently. Oh, and it limits the damage from losing the appeal, doesn’t it?

This is an incredibly vile way to treat people. I replied to AA that while we all have to live within the law, we also have a higher duty to treat their people with respect. So until they change how they treat skycaps, I will never do business with them anymore.

What other leverage do we have to get companies like these to change their ways?

]]> By: Chilly Nate http://thehangover.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/un-american-airlines/#comment-294 Chilly Nate Sun, 04 May 2008 12:17:49 +0000 http://thehangover.wordpress.com/?p=55#comment-294 Whenever my family travels via airline to far and exotic places (Disney World) we stick to an airport ritual that is fool proof. We pull up to the departures curb side, flag the first skycap, float him or her a $20 bill and watch as our luggage is checked and our seats are assigned, never stepping foot inside the terminal. We're happy, and the skycap is happy and the airline is happy. Of course we never fly American Airlines. It's amazing what a tip will do for good service. Just ask THO. Whenever my family travels via airline to far and exotic places (Disney World) we stick to an airport ritual that is fool proof. We pull up to the departures curb side, flag the first skycap, float him or her a $20 bill and watch as our luggage is checked and our seats are assigned, never stepping foot inside the terminal. We’re happy, and the skycap is happy and the airline is happy. Of course we never fly American Airlines. It’s amazing what a tip will do for good service. Just ask THO.

]]>