U.S. airlines flock to foreign repair shops

San Luis Talpa, El Salvador Southwest Airlines planned to begin flying planes to this small Central American nation this year -- but not with passengers aboard.

[Katherine]

Outsourcing is becoming an epidemic in this country. It is too bad that most airlines think that by moving their maintenance "out of house" they can bolster their bottom line. What about the trained techs in this country who are depending on jobs such as these? Doesn't anyone take pride in the American worker anymore? American Airlines must be applauded, however, as it does not farm out any of its maintenance. They value jobs here in our country and for that reason I will continue to be a loyal customer.

[Chris]

About 10 years ago, I asked an airline exec, why he felt it was important to farm out maintenance. He stated that it was imperative to reduce his bottom line costs. He did not even try other options nor did he solicit any from the mechanics doing the job. I talked with the mechanics and solicited quite a bit of input. Basically, if they cut out the numerous non-directs or "middle-men" they could cut the costs, improve efficiency and still keep it in-house. And this didn't even touch mechanic wages! Unfortunately this airline refused and they are now headed for their final chapter.

[tulaaretired]

Katherine wrote:

Outsourcing is becoming an epidemic in this country. It is too bad that most airlines think that by moving their maintenance "out of house" they can bolster their bottom line. What about the trained techs in this country who are depending on jobs such as these? Doesn't anyone take pride in the American worker anymore? American Airlines must be applauded, however, as it does not farm out any of its maintenance. They value jobs here in our country and for that reason I will continue to be a loyal customer.

Katherine,

Thanks for your very favorable comments. We AAers appreciate your business and hope to serve you for a very long time!

[Steve]

United?

Chris wrote:

About 10 years ago, I asked an airline exec, why he felt it was important to farm out maintenance. He stated that it was imperative to reduce his bottom line costs. He did not even try other options nor did he solicit any from the mechanics doing the job. I talked with the mechanics and solicited quite a bit of input. Basically, if they cut out the numerous non-directs or "middle-men" they could cut the costs, improve efficiency and still keep it in-house. And this didn't even touch mechanic wages! Unfortunately this airline refused and they are now headed for their final chapter.

[Chris]

Steve wrote:

United?<quoted text>

You be the judge...

[Steve]

I used to work there . Thank God not any more.

[joe momma]

I don't or won't fly any airline that outsources any maintenance.

[daneesh rageen]

New Delhi plane repair now open.

[YepYep]

joe momma wrote:

I don't or won't fly any airline that outsources any maintenance.

Better stick to SW then......

[joe momma]

Southwest outsources to Central America

[George Lopez]

Does it make you wonder why we are
having so many problems these days ?
Use other forms of transportation these day ! Your life may depend on it ?

[YepYep]

joe momma wrote:

Southwest outsources to Central America

Totally Incorrect Joe. Read here:

Southwest won't outsource maintenance
From Bloomberg News
March 15, 2008

Southwest Airlines Co., under fire for missing required aircraft inspections, dropped a plan to move some maintenance operations to El Salvador from the U.S.

The carrier ended talks about the idea with its mechanics union this week after the Federal Aviation Administration levied a $10.2-million fine for possible maintenance violations, a union official and a Southwest spokesman said Friday.

The move highlighted Southwest's efforts to restore its reputation after the March 6 fine, criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and this week's grounding of 44 jets to verify that they underwent the proper inspections.

Dallas-based Southwest hadn't announced the union negotiations over maintenance outsourcing.

"Southwest knows that this issue is gaining visibility and gaining momentum," Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Radnor, Pa.-based Business Travel Coalition, said of the FAA probe. "They probably wanted to avoid this further scrutiny."

Southwest, the largest low-fare carrier, will face questions about its maintenance practices at congressional hearings next month, Mitchell said. His group, which represents corporate travel managers, and the Teamsters union co-sponsored a Feb. 11 Washington meeting on outsourcing.

Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz confirmed that the maintenance outsourcing plan had been shelved. The airline has said passengers' safety never was endangered in the inspections case.

[Buckeye]

So, LUV does HMV in the US now?
The topic was 'additional' outsourcing.
They already do HMV in El Salvador.

[Still NWA Soon Delta]

Wait a minute! AMFA had an Industry Leading Contract here!

What is with this outsourcing? Oh yeah, you have to give in order to get. All those potential jobs out there but as usual, it's all about me me me.

[joe momma]

YepYep wrote:

<quoted text>
Totally Incorrect Joe. Read here:
Southwest won't outsource maintenance
From Bloomberg News
March 15, 2008
Southwest Airlines Co., under fire for missing required aircraft inspections, dropped a plan to move some maintenance operations to El Salvador from the U.S.
The carrier ended talks about the idea with its mechanics union this week after the Federal Aviation Administration levied a $10.2-million fine for possible maintenance violations, a union official and a Southwest spokesman said Friday.
The move highlighted Southwest's efforts to restore its reputation after the March 6 fine, criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and this week's grounding of 44 jets to verify that they underwent the proper inspections.
Dallas-based Southwest hadn't announced the union negotiations over maintenance outsourcing.
"Southwest knows that this issue is gaining visibility and gaining momentum," Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Radnor, Pa.-based Business Travel Coalition, said of the FAA probe. "They probably wanted to avoid this further scrutiny."
Southwest, the largest low-fare carrier, will face questions about its maintenance practices at congressional hearings next month, Mitchell said. His group, which represents corporate travel managers, and the Teamsters union co-sponsored a Feb. 11 Washington meeting on outsourcing.
Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz confirmed that the maintenance outsourcing plan had been shelved. The airline has said passengers' safety never was endangered in the inspections case.

Hey Clown, go to airliners.net and view central america "all aircraft". It may take a while, but you'll see plenty of pictures of southwest tails sticking out of hangers down there.
Also the news release by them after the cover up was about "additional" outsourcing that tyhey weren't going to do, so they admit they already do it

[Solon]

joe momma wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey Clown, go to airliners.net and view central america "all aircraft". It may take a while, but you'll see plenty of pictures of southwest tails sticking out of hangers down there.
Also the news release by them after the cover up was about "additional" outsourcing that tyhey weren't going to do, so they admit they already do it

Joe---still running your mouth?
When are you going to reveal your professional aviation credentials as you were asked to do on another site?

[HUH]

What MAJOR carrier...legacy or otherwise here in the US....DOES NO OUTSOURCING AT ALL?

Anyone? Anyoneeeeee?

[hrpuffnstuff]

daneesh rageen wrote:

New Delhi plane repair now open.

"Thank you for using us....and we vant to own your problem". Is that D like in domato..E like in eliphant....L like in lowndon T like in domato A like in opple?

[joe momma]

HUH wrote:

What MAJOR carrier...legacy or otherwise here in the US....DOES NO OUTSOURCING AT ALL?
Anyone? Anyoneeeeee?

AMERICAN

[tulaaretired]

joe momma wrote:

<quoted text>
AMERICAN

Joe Momma,

Thanks for setting the record straight. To avoid confusion, it's..........AAmerican!