Posted on 02/17/2010 6:50:44 AM PST by KeyLargo
Posted on Thu, Jan. 21, 2010
No response from Obama to invites
BY MOLLY MCMILLIN The Wichita Eagle
President Obama has not responded to the Machinists union's invitation to visit Wichita, the union's international president said.
Obama has twice been invited to Wichita by Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The effort has been joined by the governor, senators and leaders of Wichita's planemakers, Buffenbarger said.
They want Obama to come to Wichita to see how the downturn and negative remarks made by Congress about the use of private jets has hurt the business aircraft industry and led to thousands of job cuts, he said.
They also want Obama to speak out about the benefits of business aircraft.
"They just don't respond to us," Buffenbarger said of the White House.
Buffenbarger urged attendees at the October National Business Aviation Association's annual meeting and convention in Orlando to call the White House switchboard and leave a message for Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, asking Obama to visit.
The perception that business jets are "fancy toys for fat cats" has had a detrimental effect on the industry, Buffenbarger said at NBAA. "Business aviation is vital to America's economic recovery."
In March, city leaders sent Obama a letter inviting him to visit Wichita. And City Council members voted unanimously for a resolution to that effect.
There has not been an answer to the invitation.
"We just haven't heard anything... back," said Dale Goter, the city's government relations manager, although communication between the mayor and the White House continues.
Feb 10, 2010
By Madhu Unnikrishnan madhu_unnikrishnan@aviationweek.com
Textron, continuing its aggressive campaign to cut costs and raise margins, may shut down some Cessna metal work production lines in Georgia and Kansas and move the operations to Mexico, CFO and Executive Vice President Frank Connor said at the Cowen and Company Aerospace and Defense Conference in New York earlier today.
Textron eliminated 8,000 jobs at Cessna last year and has consolidated or shut down more than 500,000 square feet of facilities. The goal is to get Cessna “back to double-digit margins” while recognizing the company does not have the pricing power in the market it once had, Connor said. He expects Cessna to post a first-quarter loss.
http://www.aviationweek.com/
Isn't it just great how he's helped demolish the entire travel industry by all his snide commentary about Las Vegas???
What a total intellectual misfit, it's just pathetic.
doesn’t Wichita call itself “the civil aviation capitol of the world”? That, and being the birthplace of Pizza Hut, is it’s big claim to fame, I think.
By the way, the only person I ever met who owned his own plane was not a bigshot. He was a doctor who flew on medical missionary trips to Mexico. He had used cars, no gardener or maid, no cable tv. Doesn’t seem right to paint all plane owners or users as greedy ceo’s.
Our city has a small airport. I strongly support keeping it and keeping that business aloft, so to speak.
AVIATION PING
Not all of Cessna’s people are union, either.
Congress AND Obama couldn’t shut their mouth about evil corporate jets.
Lou Dobbs was about the only one who actually spoke out against this.
When it comes to jobs and economy, I swear I think of Daffy duck doing
*Of Mice and Men*
____________________________________________________________
Hugo the Abominable Snowman: Just what I always wanted. My own little bunny rabbit! I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him.
Daffy Duck: I’m not a bunny rabbit.
Hugo the Abominable Snowman: And pat him, and pet him, and...
Daffy Duck: You’re hurting me... put me down, please.
Hugo the Abominable Snowman: And rub him, and caress him, and...
____________________________________________________________
The bunny rabbit being jobs/economy. We know what happened to that bunny rabbit....
By small plane, I can fly to Columbis, Goergia in two hours, then to Charlotte, then to Jacksonville for dinner, and see three clients in a day, and be home for the late news. By car or commercial airlines, it’s a long three day trip.
“They just don’t respond to us,” Buffenbarger said of the White House.
Why should they. It isn’t in their best interest, since their mission is the death of America, and American Industry. Hope and change for the far left and no one else.
Even the far left is giving mr Obama trouble as they are not doing the job quickly enough. Makes me wonder how many far left voters depend on a job for their money.
Boy am I behind the times. What ever happened to Winpisinger—the communist head of the Machinists for decades?
How true-to-form that he throws them into the wood chipper now (and must figure that a speech or two on forthcoming "green jobs" in 2012 should make things all better again.)
.
Hey “Buffy”, we were screaming from the rooftops not to elect the statist/Marxist fraud, but you and your confederates voted him in. Squeal all you want. You wanted him, you got him.
(BTW,Buffy and the boys endorsed the Kenyan Blue-Lipped Mulatto for President.)
Good point!
I didn’t catch buffy’s union gig until you mentioned it.
US carriers caught in union limbo
By Lori Ranson
DATE:15/02/10
SOURCE:Airline Business
US airlines find themselves in the middle of a political maelstrom that could drastically alter long-standing methods used to conduct union representation elections at those carriers.
Late in 2009 at the behest of the AFL-CIO Transport Trades Department, two new representatives of the National Mediation Board appointed by the Obama administration hastily introduced a notice of proposed rulemaking to change election procedures. The NMB’s main objective is to ensure labour stability in the air and rail industries. Under the proposed rule, airline and railroad workers could become unionised if a majority of workers participating in a vote endorse representation. It would reverse the long-held policy of requiring a majority of all affected workers electing to be represented by a union. Supporters of the rule say the new procedure also allows employees to explicitly cast a “no” vote against representation.
Airlines are critical of how the rule was introduced, claiming new board members Linda Puchlala and Harry Hoglander excluded chairman Elizabeth Dougherty from deliberations, and only gave her 90 minutes to review the proposed rulemaking before publication. Delta Air Lines argues the process raises serious concerns about NMB’s good faith in introducing the proceedings. “All indications are that the members of the board majority have already made up their minds to proceed with the proposed change,” it says.
No US carrier will feel the brunt of the rule more than Delta, which is failing to realise the full benefits of its merger with Northwest Airlines as representation issues languish in the limbo created by the proposed rule change. Prior to the merger Delta was largely non-union while Northwest was heavily unionised. The Association of Flight Attendants and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers actively campaigned to organise roughly 50,000 employees at Delta, but withdrew their representation applications “virtually simultaneously with the board’s issuance” of the proposed rules, says Delta. The carrier argues the unions apparently became convinced they could not win majority support under current election rules.
In the meantime, however, Delta points out AFA has been successful in two representation elections held under the current rules, including one at its regional subsidiary Compass Airlines. Delta argues it and its employees have now been singled out for discriminatory treatment, and that has prevented it from aligning pay, benefits and work rules for large groups of pre-merger Delta and Northwest employees.
A large portion of the argument put forth by the AFL-CIO TTD is the change is necessary to mirror how democratic elections are conducted for positions in political office. “No where in American democracy - other than during a union election in the airline and railroad industry - does an eligible voter wishing to sit out on an election have his or her silence tabulated as a no vote by virtue of non-participation,” says TTD.
Delta though sees gaping holes in that rationale. “In an election for public office, the eligible voters have only themselves to blame if they fail to vote and those who do not vote elect a candidate who is not a capable public official,” says Delta. “If weak unions or union officials could be elected by a minority of voters in a representation dispute in the transportation industry, however, the likelihood of labour instability and disruptions to commerce would be dramatically increased.”
For More on...
Look back at our comment on the key labour issues facing the airline industry here
If supporters of the change succeed in establishing a new voting precedent, airline managements face the challenge of holding contract negotiations with an organisation that might not hold majority support from the given employee group, says Jerrold Glass, president of F&H Solutions group and former human resources chief at US Airways. He also believes a change in how unions are organised also increases the risk of union raiding by making it easier for one union to replace another, further jeopardising labour stability.
Further confusing the issue are questions over whether NMB has the authority to reverse the current method. Board chairman Dougherty argues the proposed change “if appropriate”, should be made by US Congress. Even if the board members seeking the change achieve success in mandating the new procedures, it is not clear how soon carriers will feel the effects. The Air Transport Association of America says it plans to seek legal action if the proposed rulemaking is enacted.
Yet Delta warns that “unions seem quite certain of the outcome of this proceeding. AFA’s letter withdrawing its application at Delta made clear that they plan to re-file after the new rules become effective”.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/article.aspx?liArticleID=338403&PrinterFriendly=true
Published: September 08, 2008
Machinists Endorse Obama for President
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today delivered a full-throated endorsement for Barack Obama following a personal appeal from New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton at the union’s national convention inLake Buena Vista, Florida.
“This union is not half-hearted with its endorsements,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, who was an early and strong supporter of Sen. Clinton throughout the primaries. “When we go in, we go all in. We will have boots on the ground in every state to make sure our members understand that Barack Obama is the best chance in a generation to reclaim the American Dream for working families.”
More than 2,600 delegates and guests rose to their feet repeatedly during Clinton’s remarks and displayed unequivocal support for her request to support theIllinois senator to become the next president ofthe United States.
The endorsement will trigger a massive education campaign among IAM members and extensive publicity in union publications and worksites nationwide. The IAM is a significant political presence in key industrial states ofOhio,Pennsylvania,Michigan andWisconsin.
The IAM is among the nation’s largest industrial trade unions, representing over 700,000 active and retired members in airline, aerospace, manufacturing, railroad, woodworking and shipbuilding industries. For more information, go to www.goiam.org.
SOURCE International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Your reference to the IAM is the one I found to confirm my suspicions. I notice that the article mentioned that the union was strong in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and my state, Michigan.
And, in a moment of full disclosure: I am guilty of hanging around those “Fat-Cats” that Obambi so disparages.
In 2001 I became the de-facto manager of a jet-charter service hangar, here, in my resort community.
My friend, the owner, had a Cessna CJ/2, manufactured coincidently, in Wichita. He has a large factory near O’Hare Airport that has approx. 80 employees. When we flew down there for the company summer picnics, I noticed the literally hundreds of people that this one company effects.
Some of the other “Fat-Cats” that came to be friends of mine was 45 year-old brain surgeon who was always flying off to distant locales to do surgery on children. He would say how he had to fly to St. Louis on Monday, then immediately to Baton Rouge for the same.
One of the other “Rich Fat-Cats” owned one of the largest home construction companies in the Detroit area. He had a Beech-Craft King Air.
Then, there were others, like the great guy who owned numerous hotels. You can only imagine how many jobs he affected. Plus numerous doctors, dentists, and small businessmen.
I have never found, in my life, a group of people who were more nice, genuine, and generous than that group of “Fat-Cats”.
But, how would a low-life, like Barack Hussein, know anything about such a subject? Those are the kind of people he dispises. Why hang out with them when you have Bill Ayers/Bernadene Dorn, Van Jones, Andy Stern, Rev. Wright, and the ballerina?
I have never found, in my life, a group of people who were more nice, genuine, and generous than that group of “Fat-Cats”.
...and the question really thinking folks would ask, is how many of those generous shirt off the back, folks still are able financially to be “nice genuine, and generous”, or have they assumed the fetal position barely able to protect themselves from the tsunami of financial stupidity coming from BHO.
Posted on Wed, Feb. 17, 2010
Local plane deliveries in 2009 lowest in 12 years
BY MOLLY MCMILLIN
The Wichita Eagle
Planemakers in Wichita and worldwide delivered fewer general aviation aircraft in 2009 than they have in more than a decade, according to a trade group that tracks the figures. Shipments of piston, turboprop and business aircraft by Cessna Aircraft, Bombardier Learjet and Hawker Beechcraft totaled 1,061 last year, the lowest since they delivered 1,027 in 1997.
In all, aircraft manufacturers worldwide delivered 2,276 aircraft, down 43 percent from the previous year, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Billings fell 21 percent from the previous year to $19.5 billion.
GAMA released the figures at its annual industry review Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
There were no surprises in the numbers, Wichita planemakers said.
“Obviously, 2009 was a tough year, and we had to take a lot of difficult steps to bring the company in line with the realities of the market,” said Cessna spokesman Bob Stangarone.
The three companies have cut nearly 13,000 jobs in response to the downturn.
Wichita’s manufacturers delivered 47 percent of the world’s general aviation aircraft last year. The deliveries were down 41 percent from 1,809 in 2008.
Cessna delivered 740 aircraft, its lowest total since it delivered 612 planes in 1997. It delivered 1,300 aircraft in 2008.
Hawker Beechcraft delivered 273 civilian planes, down from 435 in 2008 and its lowest level since it delivered 263 in 2003. The company also delivered 145 T-6A trainers and King Airs to military customers last year.
Bombardier Learjet delivered 48 Wichita-built business jets compared with 74 in 2008. It was its lowest total since delivering 48 in 2004.
“When you look at the amplitude of the downturn, it’s significant,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.
Overall, the piston aircraft market was hit the hardest, with worldwide shipments falling 55 percent to 965. The market was hurt the most by lack of available credit.
“Most of the people buying the higher-end pistons that are affecting the numbers have small businesses,” he said.
Those are customers who normally need financing for aircraft purchases.
The turboprop market, meanwhile, fared best in the downturn; deliveries dropped 18 percent to 441.
Worldwide business jet deliveries dropped to 870 from 1,313, their lowest level since 750 were delivered in 2005.
What’s ahead in 2010
Aircraft manufacturers are braced for another tough year.
“We’re certainly prepared for this year to continue no better than the last one ended,” said Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture.
Production rates and employment levels have been set for lower deliveries this year, Boisture said.
The industry is closely watching key market indicators, such as the number of flying hours by business jet operators and used business jet inventories for sale.
There are indications the numbers have at least leveled out and “maybe this is the bottom,” Boisture said.
Business aircraft flying hours have improved and used aircraft inventories decreased somewhat, “although the used airplane transactions are at significantly depressed prices,” Boisture said.
While there’s been improvement in the indicators, he said, he wouldn’t call it a significant trend.
“We’re preparing to be very frugal with our spending this year,” Boisture said.
Market recovery is expected to be gradual, Stangarone said.
Cessna’s focus also is on reducing costs and staying competitive, he said. “That’s the significant challenge for 2010.”
In the coming years, the company will be competing with foreign competitors with “formidable cost structures.”
“We have to be ready to meet the competitive threat,” Stangarone said.
Bombardier’s Learjet plant in Wichita has taken steps to align production with the market. It doesn’t expect to reduce rates further this year, said spokeswoman Haley Dunne.
Considering the challenging environment, “Bombardier business aircraft recorded good results” for 2009, Dunne said.
A new business jet forecast by Brian Foley Associates predicts demand for 8,900 business jets worth $170 billion to be delivered during the 10-year period of 2010 to 2019.
Record business jet deliveries in 2008 won’t be seen this decade, Foley said in a statement, because of tougher financing and a maturing of the fractional industry.
International sales
Deliveries to international customers are rising, however.
For the first time, more than half of the business jets delivered last year were to customers outside of North America.
Last year, about 80 percent of the orders booked at Hawker Beechcraft were from customers outside North America. That’s up dramatically, Boisture said.
“That doesn’t mean that the international market has grown overwhelmingly large,” Boisture said. “It just means our market got significantly small.”
That’s a reflection that some economies around the world remain in a growth mode, although not as robust as in previous years, GAMA’s Bunce said.
Forty-nine percent of the deliveries were to North American customers, a drop of 5 percentage points from 2008.
Deliveries in Europe and Latin America remained flat with the year before, while they rose somewhat in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Reach Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or mmcmillin@wichitaeagle.com.
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