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THIS WAS SENT TO UPPER MANAGEMENT. I'M STILL AWAITING AN ANSWER. I DONT THINK THEY CAN COME UP WITH ONE.

Hi all,

I am writing this E-mail hoping to get a reasonable answer in regards to how the Company defines theft when it comes to the Guys drinking a bottle of water that was left on an over night aircraft.

Two scenarios:

1. A mechanic clocks in and during his shift he gets a bottle of water off of the aircraft he is working on. He is in a hangar that doesn’t have a clean water machine (culligan) in the area. A Supervisor approaches him and says “you cant do that, you could get fired for theft, you are stealing from the Company.”

2. A Pilot or Flight Attendant clocks in and during their shift they get a bottle of water, soda, coffee, snacks, ect. From the aircraft they are working on. And It’s ok.

As you can see, the two scenarios are mostly similar except for the last part. We all know that or at least for the last 20 years or so I have seen many empty water bottles, coffee cups, snack wrappers and such in the cockpit. I have never heard of a Pilot or Flight Attendant being disciplined or fired for theft. I pose this question. “Is this a perk for the flight crew?” If so, can we even compare a Mechanic and what he does physically to a Pilot or Flight Attendant and what they do Mentally? Lets look at the reason why a Mechanic would drink a bottle of water from the aircraft. Is it because he thinks he is pulling a fast one over on the Company? Is it because he cant afford to buy a bottle of water? Or is it because it’s available and he doesn’t have to travel to another location in order to get good clean sanitary water? I know most of you are probably thinking that the fix would be to put a clean water dispenser in the location so he doesn’t have to travel to get it (and it would help) but it still doesn’t answer the part about a disparity in what the Pilots and Flight Attendants are allowed to do versus a Mechanic. Please let me know if there is something written saying that the Flight Crew has this perk or where in the Company’s policy’s it defines theft as “Stealing from the Company is prohibited unless you are a Pilot or Flight Attendant.” But then again, is it really stealing?????

If you could please respond so I can explain it to our Guys as to why our jobs are threatened and its ok for the Flight Crews.

Thanks

Barry Arbelius V.P. Local 576

T.W.U. Local 576