Northwest Airlines Suspends Mechanic For Questioning Aircraft Safety!

Northwest Said to Suspend Union Official
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 31, 2005

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) -- The president of the Twin Cities mechanics union at Northwest Airlines has been suspended by the airline for questioning the safety of outsourced aircraft repairs, the union said.

Northwest suspended Ted Ludwig from his job as a mechanic for 60 days without pay, the union he heads, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said Wednesday.

While refusing to comment on the suspension, Northwest said aircraft safety is never compromised.

Two weeks ago, Northwest warned Ludwig he could lose his job if he continued to suggest that aircraft maintenance performed by third-party repair facilities could pose a danger to passengers. Shortly after that warning, Ludwig held a news conference and showed pieces of an exploded aircraft brake that he said resulted from outsourced repairs.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-BRF-Northwest-Mechanics.html?oref=login

again. Between the security crap, the open and shamless gaming and swindling of the taxpayer that these corporations engage in, and the general unpleasantness of dealing with some of the agents I've met with, I'll happily not travel or find other means of transportation.

The aircraft agents along with all other airlines workers been under constant attack by the airlines. Their wages, pensions and other benefits have been cut. Some have been unjustly fired for trying to perform their jobs well.

This tends to make employees grumpy and their jobs far more difficult. So please try to understand their worsening conditions of work and how this affects their relations with airline travelers.

I always wish them well and indicate I support them in their battle with the airlines.

and really appreciates people like you. The management of most of these companies is incompetent at best, but people still tend to believe the propaganda they spew against the unions. It's good of you to recognize how difficult the jobs can be when you're not guaranteed any support from the company. The fact that most of them are going bankrupt doesn't much help morale either, I think.

airlines, though? Without agents to be the public face, the airlines would not easily make sales.

As far as the airlines themselves go, they should be held to the same standard as any other business. If you produce a quality product, perhaps the company should just be allowed to go under.

and presently a Quality Assurance inspector in the industry, I'd like to thank you for your comments.

LOTS of legroom, comfy seats, and you can get up and walk around if you feel like it. The observation deck is great and the food is excellent. They don't screw you over with a $75 fee each way if you bring your bike AND they will even provide you with a bike box if you need one (for a nominal fee of $10 I believe). I have traveled by Amtrak quite a few times over the years and not once have they lost or mangled my luggage. Oh, and there's even free parking at the Amtrak station. Yeah, it takes a bit more time than flying but it's a MUCH more relaxing way to travel. Screw the airlines. The taxpayers of MN have shelled out $$$ to prop up Northwest and they thank us by outsourcing jobs and screwing over their employees. Thanks but no thanks. I'll travel by Amtrak.

Unfortunately the Bush government is trying to destroy Amtrak.

More money should be spent by the federal government to develop a high-speed 21st Centrury national railroad passenger train system, not less.

Supporters of rail passengers in Congress should fight on this issue and present a clear plan to modernize and rebuild a national railroad system along the lines of most other industrial nations.

avoid Northwest Airlines at all costs. Walk if necessary, but under NO circumstances, fly Northwest.