Production returning to the USA! - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #46 07-10-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

I have always found, when dealing with small jobs, independent guys cheaper than the big ones. They serve their market and the big guys serve theirs.

I can take my car to the dealer or to the guy that works out of his backyard shop. It just depends on the level of service I need.

I once worked for a large hydraulic sales and service company. Some small jobs we bid big on because we did not want to do the job. Our time was better spent working on bigger projects as that is what we were geared up for.

We bid because we were requested to. It never scared off business because when our customers needed us for the big jobs they always called on us.

I think the same logic may be at work in the case of the gas company/plumber example.

I once knew a woman that had so much money she would call an Electrician to change blown out light bulbs. She used the same guy for years and then called him and said she did not need him anymore. She had found someone else who did a better job at it. He must do a better job because he charged more.

(She also had a 600 Pullman with a Uniformed Driver!)

She would have gone with the gas company on your installation. Some people are just like that.

I have found quite a difference. Bottom line is quite hard to predict. Often the big company is cheaper but sometimes, the small company is cheaper. A few times, I have got bids a big company and a small company and the roles reverse. I don't know what else to do but to just constantly be checking.

If I can, I get a trained tech to work out of the backyard for cash. All depends on the tools required. If they need certain tools that are hard to come by, lets say an entire SDS unit, I bring it into the bigger shops. For smaller stuff that doesn't require the tools, I get bids.

They seemed to want the job. Even offered to try lower the bid by $50 but I already had confirmed it and I wasn't about to change it for that little.

Some people have more money that they know what to do with. Too bad. That is how some people start out rich and end up poor.

aklim · #47 07-10-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

Now we need to start working on exports!

That is going to be difficult. If the Chinese or Indians can outbid us, we will lose every time. As I have said before, this is getting too hot an issue. We need to find another niche. Problem is we keep trying to keep manufacturing of simpler items alive. We need to find a different avenue.

Case in point. When I deal with Nam, a huge problem is that if we raise the price, we could lose the market because the people would go buy another product that was almost the same at a lower price. As such, we marked up the price as much as we can. Over the years, we don't raise prices. Obviously, the cost on our end goes up. When it becomes too little a profit, we dump the product and let someone else pick it up. We move on to a new product that doesn't have too many copies of it out yet and repeat.

Local2ED · #48 07-10-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Then there is a dirty aircraft with 200 passengers waiting to board with 10 FA's who will not help clean it because it's maint's job but they are delayed for what ever reason so I and a few other gate agents go on board to clean it. The FA's complain and write us up and our boss laughs, tosses it into file 13 and tell us good job for getting the flight out on time and making 200 wage paying passengers happy.

Just wondering, if the pilots were running late, would you have flown the plane to get your atta-boy and pat on the head? The problem is people overstepping their boundries just for that atta-boy. You know if you jumped in the cockpit and got the plane under you would have 200 wage paying happy passengers.

aklim · #49 07-10-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

Just wondering, if the pilots were running late, would you have flown the plane to get your atta-boy and pat on the head? The problem is people overstepping their boundries just for that atta-boy. You know if you jumped in the cockpit and got the plane under you would have 200 wage paying happy passengers.

Yes, we should all know our place.

Come on, you know as well that only a pilot is licensed and capable of flying that plane. OTOH, it doesn't take much training to say clean the cabin or do other stuff. Obviously, a nurse is not a surgeon and should NOT be doing that job. But are you saying that a surgeon cannot substitute for a RN? Can an RN do an LPNs job or a CNA's job? Sure. IS it that difficult to stick a light bulb in a common light fixture or does it need a union electrician? I suppose that because I am a clerk, I have no business changing a light bulb and need a qualified electrician to do it?

People like you are why it take 3 people per side to man a toll booth in Nam. One guy to take your money, the next to give you a ticket and nod his head and the 3rd to raise the bar that you may pass. This is back in 2004. I suppose you would tell us that if the 1 of the 3 were off to take a leak, we cannot move since the team is broken up and you wait for the missing guy to get off the crapper?

davidmash · #50 07-10-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

Just wondering, if the pilots were running late, would you have flown the plane to get your atta-boy and pat on the head? The problem is people overstepping their boundries just for that atta-boy. You know if you jumped in the cockpit and got the plane under you would have 200 wage paying happy passengers.

Are you really this dense or do you just play it the part here on the WC?

But just to play along. Were I a licensed pilot, were I not on duty to long, were I employed by the airline as a licensed pilot and checked out on that plane, yes I would have. OH but wait.... the airline already has that situation covered. They have reserve pilots and FA's on staff at the airport for just such occasion. I know with FA's I could move them around from plane to plane for just such occasion.

Picking up trash on a plane and making it look nice is just a wee bit less complicated than flying a plane don't you think? I know the passengers do not care who makes the plane clean. I know I do not? When my life is at stake yes I do care. I don't care if a certified electrician changes the light bulb in my house or if the pool boy does it. Just because I won't let the pool boy wire the house, does not mean he is not capable of doing something else.

The part you continue to fail to address is why the union feels the need to require that 3 or 5 people do the work that one can do. There is no reason the airline could not reduce it's maint staff by having FA's clean up the plane. Of course the FA's don't want to because they are too good for that. The maint staff does not want that because they will loose jobs and we all know the union does not want it because they will loose dues. But aside from that, how does having 4 people do the work of one make any sense from a business perspective?

If a union would be in COst Co we would have more people and lower wages. Companies are going to base staff on a budget which is probably based on projected revenue. Cost Co makes due with less. They pay me well so they expect me to bust my ass. I do not just do my job. I help out in other departments as needed if I am slow and able to assist. It's called cross training. Something Unions hate because that is one less person they are getting dues from.

Unions did their job well in the '20's. They got decent wages and safe work environments. They protected the worker who had not protection. They have changed today. The union is no longer interested in safety (look at the mines) or the well being of the employee. They are interested in making a company as inefficient as possible so they can have more people on payroll. The unions need to go the way of the dinosaur. I'll read about them in the history books.

Pavka007 · #51 07-10-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Are you really this dense or do you just play it the part here on the WC?.

David, just chill out, the guy is here on a war path, for the last 4 days every one of his postings is an argument, never a real discussion. I am sure that you are man enough to ignore him and get on with your life.
Just my $0.02

#52 07-10-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavka007

David, just chill out, the guy is here on a war path, for the last 4 days every one of his postings is an argument, never a real discussion. I am sure that you are man enough to ignore him and get on with your life.
Just my $0.02

Agreed, fighting with trolls is a waste of time. Just correct his misinformation and ignore his resposes.

davidmash · #53 07-10-2010, 10:55 AM

I know I know. I worked with unions for several years and the mentality of some of them is beyond rational. They remind me of religious fanatics. It's their way or the highway. No room for a different opinion or free thought. If your in a union you do what we say or we make your life hell. There is no concept of independent thought or a 'loyal opposition' as it were. The fact that there are FA's at American still walking around with a list of names of FA's that crossed the line back in 1991 is a bit unnerving. Like I want someone that irrational on an aircraft at 35,000 feet.

It pisses me off and I guess sometimes I let it get to me.

Local2ED · #54 07-10-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Yes, we should all know our place.

Come on, you know as well that only a pilot is licensed and capable of flying that plane. OTOH, it doesn't take much training to say clean the cabin or do other stuff. Obviously, a nurse is not a surgeon and should NOT be doing that job. But are you saying that a surgeon cannot substitute for a RN? Can an RN do an LPNs job or a CNA's job? Sure. IS it that difficult to stick a light bulb in a common light fixture or does it need a union electrician? I suppose that because I am a clerk, I have no business changing a light bulb and need a qualified electrician to do it?

People like you are why it take 3 people per side to man a toll booth in Nam. One guy to take your money, the next to give you a ticket and nod his head and the 3rd to raise the bar that you may pass. This is back in 2004. I suppose you would tell us that if the 1 of the 3 were off to take a leak, we cannot move since the team is broken up and you wait for the missing guy to get off the crapper?

Don't know were or what "nam" is please clarify.

Local2ED · #55 07-10-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Are you really this dense or do you just play it the part here on the WC?

But just to play along. Were I a licensed pilot, were I not on duty to long, were I employed by the airline as a licensed pilot and checked out on that plane, yes I would have. OH but wait.... the airline already has that situation covered. They have reserve pilots and FA's on staff at the airport for just such occasion. I know with FA's I could move them around from plane to plane for just such occasion.

Picking up trash on a plane and making it look nice is just a wee bit less complicated than flying a plane don't you think? I know the passengers do not care who makes the plane clean. I know I do not? When my life is at stake yes I do care. I don't care if a certified electrician changes the light bulb in my house or if the pool boy does it. Just because I won't let the pool boy wire the house, does not mean he is not capable of doing something else.

The part you continue to fail to address is why the union feels the need to require that 3 or 5 people do the work that one can do. There is no reason the airline could not reduce it's maint staff by having FA's clean up the plane. Of course the FA's don't want to because they are too good for that. The maint staff does not want that because they will loose jobs and we all know the union does not want it because they will loose dues. But aside from that, how does having 4 people do the work of one make any sense from a business perspective?

If a union would be in COst Co we would have more people and lower wages. Companies are going to base staff on a budget which is probably based on projected revenue. Cost Co makes due with less. They pay me well so they expect me to bust my ass. I do not just do my job. I help out in other departments as needed if I am slow and able to assist. It's called cross training. Something Unions hate because that is one less person they are getting dues from.

Unions did their job well in the '20's. They got decent wages and safe work environments. They protected the worker who had not protection. They have changed today. The union is no longer interested in safety (look at the mines) or the well being of the employee. They are interested in making a company as inefficient as possible so they can have more people on payroll. The unions need to go the way of the dinosaur. I'll read about them in the history books.

Just another bitter,vindictive person who wishes he were union. Your attatude will change when it's your job that someone else is doing. By the way, what isle is the kleenex in sounds like you need a box.

Local2ED · #56 07-10-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Agreed, fighting with trolls is a waste of time. Just correct his misinformation and ignore his resposes.

So anybody who disagree's wiyh you is a troll? How those cherrios taste this morning

#57 07-10-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I know I know. I worked with unions for several years and the mentality of some of them is beyond rational. They remind me of religious fanatics. It's their way or the highway. No room for a different opinion or free thought. If your in a union you do what we say or we make your life hell. There is no concept of independent thought or a 'loyal opposition' as it were. The fact that there are FA's at American still walking around with a list of names of FA's that crossed the line back in 1991 is a bit unnerving. Like I want someone that irrational on an aircraft at 35,000 feet.

It pisses me off and I guess sometimes I let it get to me.

I understand, I also spent too many years having to deal with those clowns. The best revenge is to get away from them and find an environment where you can actually get things accomplished. You will be happier and they won't drag you down. You can't help them, they will only change when they are forced to change.

davidmash · #58 07-10-2010, 11:10 AM

Drat. You found me out. That must be why I quit 2 jobs when they voted in representation.

BTW, does anyone know if there is wording in union contracts that requires a person to strike? Does an individual have the right to follow their conscience or are they obligated to follow the union? I know in a closed shop they must be a member, but does that mean they must do as told by the union?

Pavka007 · #59 07-10-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

Just another bitter,vindictive person who wishes he were union. Your attatude will change when it's your job that someone else is doing. By the way, what isle is the kleenex in sounds like you need a box.

Dude, you really need to look at your spelling...... getting very hard for a normal intelligent person to read your writing never the less make a sense out of it

As you probably notice the majority here are not union members so second grade grammar and spelling are not very well received