AFA objects to yet another Inflight Marketing Scheme!
AFA's Response to Ed Bular
November 2, 2006 Captain Ed Bular Senior Vice President Operations and Inflight US Airway Dear Captain Bular, Thank you for your letter of the 27th outlining your viewpoint on communications and the issue of the Cold Stone Creamery/US Airways marketing coupon give away. To provide you a little background on this issue, on October 24, 2006 Mr. Paul Kinsey-Manager of Inflight Policies and Procedures, approached the AFA leadership in Charlotte to inform us of the company's plan to have our flight attendants pass out dollar off coupons for Cold Stone Creamery during flight. It is interesting to note as we speak about communications, that Mr. Kinsey prefaced the conversation by asking if Ron Cole, former Vice President of Inflight, had informed us of this marketing scheme-(he had not). During our conversation with Mr. Kinsey, both Mike Flores and I objected to this plan and also conveyed reasonable solutions and ideas that would meet your marketing needs. While I understand that Mr. Kinsey may have been just the messenger, it was clearly pointed out to him that there would be a response from AFA should the company proceed. I believe my words were, "I am tired of the company pimping out our flight attendants for these types of marketing schemes," and... "I will communicate that to the membership." While this comment may not have been as professional as I would have liked, it conveyed the Association's position clearly and unambiguously. As there was no response from the Company, I deemed my letter to Cold Stone Creamery to be appropriate, measured, and necessary. Regarding your comments on AFA not objecting to similar marketing schemes in the past, it is obvious that you have been mislead or misinformed by your staff. AFA Council 66 has expressed our concern to every marketing plan that forces and requires our flight attendants to act as outside sales agents for other companies and vendors. From Sky Mall videos to credit card announcements, air sick bag advertisements to table tray promotions, the US Airways cabin has become a battle zone of competing outside advertising interests in which the end result is passengers tune out and become complacent to flight attendant safety instructions. Additionally, the Flight Attendant becomes the focal point for increased passenger frustration over the seemingly constant barrage of onboard sales pitches. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Travel Editor David Bear, writing in a recent column, affirms this passenger frustration: "But forcing every member of a captive audience to an involuntary, aggressive sales pitch seems to be crossing a line, especially when airline personnel are actively enlisted in the effort." As I stated to Mr. Ducey, CEO of Cold Stone Creamery and I repeat to you, these types of marketing schemes are demeaning and degrading to the flight attendant profession and they pose a serious safety concern. The Association will continue to convey this position in any and all means necessarily and that we deem appropriate. Sincerely, Gary Richardson MEC President Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO Council 66 October 27, 2006 Mr. Gary Richardson Association of Flight Attendants Dear Gary, Paul Kinsey forwarded a copy of your letter to Cold Stone to me, where you expressed your concern about the upcoming marketing program between Cold Stone and US Airways is demeaning to flight attendants, and takes away from the safety focus of a flight attendant. Now for the specifics: First, the program is very similar to another program we ran about a year ago, and that program did not produce any safety and service concerns from the members of AFA leadership. That program, was a West program, so it was something I assume you have knowledge of, and was the same vendor and very similar to the upcoming program. We have run other programs where flight attendants go much further and actually solicit customers, such as the Sky Mall program, which has not resulted in safety and service issues. Second, this program is limited in scope, duration, time and effort by the flight attendants. It will be a seven day program, on flights with 150 seats or less, and the flight attendants can simply hand out the "dollar off" cards during their normal in-flight duties. The program is also constructed so that flight attendants who participate can benefit through "crew cards". We are confident that this program does not present any safety or service issues to the flight attendant or the passengers. Nonetheless, we will keep your comments in mind as we move forward with any future marketing arrangements. Sincerely, Ed Bular SVP Flight Operations/InFlight Letter to Cold Stone Creamery from AFA Council 66 October 25, 2006 Mr. Doug Ducey CEO Chairman Stone Cold Creamery Dear Mr. Ducey: I would like to take a moment and introduce myself to you. My name is Gary Richardson and I am the President for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) representing the Flight Attendants at America West Airlines. More than 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. It is with deep concern that I write to you, as earlier this week US Airways informed myself and Mike Flores, MEC President for AFA-CWA, representing US Airway Flight Attendants, of a marketing plan between Cold Stone Creamery and US Airways that will require our Flight Attendants to pass out dollar-off coupons for your stores during flight. The Association of Flight Attendants believes that these types of marketing schemes to be demeaning and degrading to our profession. Passengers must have the confidence that their professional flight attendant is focused on the safety and security of their flight. This confidence is shattered when flight attendants are required to act as common peddlers of coupons and promotional material on board the aircraft. I urge you to reconsider this marketing plan. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Gary Richardson
Cc: Doug Parker-CEO US Airways Mike Flores- MEC President Paul Kinsey-Inflight Manager
|
| Maintainer: Administrator (mec@afa66.org) |  |