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NATA Airline Services Council
NATA formed the Airline Services Council (NATA ASC) to further the interests of companies that provide services to scheduled air carriers as their primary business. The primary goal of the NATA ASC is to provide a voice within the public policy arena, especially in terms of issues that impact their viability and profitability.. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.
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| Leyh Selected As New TSA Commercial Aviation General Manager |
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| Earlier this month, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Assistant Administrator for Transportation Sector Network Management John Sammon announced the selection of Paul Leyh to become general manager of the TSA’s Commercial Aviation Division. The announcement by Sammon follows:
It is my pleasure to announce the selection of Paul Leyh as TSA's General Manager for Commercial Aviation within the Transportation Sector Network Management Division (TSNM). Paul will oversee the development of airport and airline policy, aviation security programs, and strategic planning for commercial aviation. He will be charged with building and maintaining strong security networks within the commercial aviation domain nationwide. TSNM's Commercial Aviation Division enhances security by working collaboratively with aviation industry stakeholders to develop efficient and effective security policies and programs. Paul has more than thirty years of experience in the aviation community, including various leadership positions in private industry, the consulting sector, and the US Government. Most recently, he has served as the Director of TSA's Secure Flight program where he was responsible for the program design, development and transition to full operations.
Paul began his career with American Airlines in 1976. Over the course of 17 years, he gained diverse experience in Customer Service, Sales, Cargo, Operations, Call Center Management, and Distribution/E-Commerce.
Paul expanded his industry experience when he was named President of Stratton Travel Management and Chief Operating Officer of the Travel Management Alliance LLC based out of New York. In this role, he oversaw the growth of Stratton to become one of the top fifty travel management companies in the US while also positioning The Travel Management Alliance as one of the top five combined agencies in the country. Paul returned to the airline industry as US Airway's Director of Sales and was responsible for transitioning their corporate, agency, government, alliance and charter sales efforts. While he was with American Airlines and US Airways, Paul managed airport cargo operations for a variety of airports on the west coast to include San Francisco, Oakland, and Seattle. On the passenger side, Paul was responsible for passenger operations at Newark Airport and was also involved in the development of the operational model for the Shuttle product. After leaving US Airways, he served as a special consultant to the Orbitz for Business organization as they entered the corporate market.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Paul attended Hilbert College majoring in Business Administration. He resides in Stafford, VA with his wife Maureen and three sons.
Please join me in congratulating Paul on his new assignment. Paul will begin serving in his new capacity as General Manager for Commercial Aviation on July 12, 2010. | |
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| TSA Nominee Testifies Before Senate Homeland Security Committee |
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| Last week, members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs heard testimony from John Pistole, President Obama’s third nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Pistole was questioned on a number of topics, including his agenda for the TSA and the safety and risk factors that currently affect all modes of transportation. “If [he is] confirmed as TSA administrator, [he] will be taking charge of an agency that has made enormous strides, in my opinion, in the last eight years to strengthen the security of the commercial aviation sector, ” Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) stated. Safety still remains a priority, and Pistole assured the committee that he would work with Congress and other departments to develop beneficial and efficient programs using the $900 million addition proposal for fiscal year 2011. Senator Lieberman stated that the panel should approve of Pistole’s nomination next week and that a full confirmation should be approved by the full Senate before the July 4th recess.
To view John Pistole’s hearing testimony, please click here. | |
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| If Members Of Your Team Saw Something That Was Wrong Or Worse, Unsafe, Would They Know What To Do? |
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| In a time long ago, at a very busy airport far away, an MD-11 was pulling into a common use gate. The pilot, the supervisor marshalling the aircraft, and the passenger service agent standing in the jet bridge had all done this before. So everyone knew what was supposed to happen.
Unfortunately, the last person, from another ground service company, to use the jet bridge had not pulled it back to the safe position. It remained sticking out into the aircraft’s path. That person also left the control mechanism in a position out of reach of the passenger service agent, so she was left standing in the jet bridge opening with nothing to do.
The supervisor marshalling the aircraft knew that the passenger loading bridge needed to be pulled back and saw the passenger service agent standing in the opening. Obviously she would pull it back before the aircraft struck the jet bridge, right?
The pilot taxiing the aircraft had pulled in here many times before. While the passenger loading bridge looked like it was too close as it passed by his window (at least that’s what he said during the accident investigation), the supervisor was still marshalling him into the gate so the supervisor must know what he was doing, right?
When the aircraft struck the passenger loading bridge, it unfortunately damaged a main structural member of the aircraft. The cost to repair the aircraft was over $150 million dollars, and that doesn’t even take into account the damage and repair of the passenger loading bridge. Any one of the three primary players in this little drama could have prevented it, but everyone “assumed” that the other was more knowledgeable than they were so they allowed the aircraft to continue.
The passenger service agent could have given the pilot the signal to stop (if she had known how to do it). The supervisor could have stopped waving the aircraft in, but he really didn’t know what he was doing. He had been trained months ago and put in charge of the bag room until now. Plus there was no “checklist” of how to prepare the gate for an aircraft or what to do if things weren’t right so he was really just waving his arms. It’s hard to tell what the pilot was thinking. As the person most experienced, most highly trained, and the one responsible for the jet, he just allowed it to continue.
The lesson learned – make sure your team knows that it’s okay to stop what’s going on if things don’t look right. If they’re wrong, then a little time was lost. But if they’re right and allow it to continue, it could cost millions. The really sad part is that this is a true story!
Jack Evans
Chairman, NATA Airline Services Council | |
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| Are Airlines Using The ATA MAGSA? |
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| I am trying to ascertain whether U.S. airlines will seek to use the "Mutual Assistance Ground Service Agreement" drafted by the Air Transport Association. While this agreement may be an improvement over some of the “core agreements” used by U.S. airlines, any document that competes with the IATA Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA) must be warily greeted by the airline service agreement.
While the IATA SGHA is far from perfect, the protections it provides on issues such as maximum liability and consequential damages are invaluable and took years of negotiations. Service providers must take a strong position to protect these contract provisions.
I would appreciate your specific comments and will treat them with all due confidentiality. Please email me your thoughts and experiences, if any, with this agreement at lkirsch@mklawnyc.com.
Leonard D. Kirsch, Esq.
McBreen & Kopko
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| NATA Launches New Homepage/Enhanced Features |
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| It has been nearly two years since NATA launched its new Web site. You asked for enhanced features and easier navigation, and we listened.
Beginning today, you can view NATA’s “new” look at www.nata.aero. The homepage alternates between current issues and NATA news/regulatory press releases. Dropdowns are easier to navigate, and frequently used sections are listed on the left navigation. A complete media module has been added that will contain photos and PowerPoint presentations from events, webinars recordings and special videos. Advertising opportunities are available on both the homepage and secondary pages as well as in NATA’s weekly electronic newsletter – NATA News.
If you have questions, comments, or even suggestions on how we can continue to improve the Web site for you, our members, please contact Linda Pylant. | |
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| NATA’s First E-Learning Webinar Highly Successful |
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| NATA’s first e-learn webinar, one of many in our summer E-Learning series, was an overwhelming success. Over forty attendees followed in-depth strategies for negotiating new or existing FBO leases, preparing to invest capital in an existing business or handling everyday issues that affect businesses at an airport. Additional discussions included rights as an airport tenant and how to protect your investment while improving your negotiating power as well as other helpful strategies and an enlightening Q & A session. NATA Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer said, “Our members asked us to provide continuing education at an affordable price, and we listened. NATA’s E-Learn series is just the beginning of many more webinars to come.”
Leonard D. Kirsch, Esq, with McBreen and Kopko, led the webinar discussions and provided valuable advice and lessons learned from his more than 25 years experience representing FBOs. Kirsch responded to nearly 30 minutes of questions from engaged attendees following the presentation. Questions included, “Is there a grant assurance limit to term on a lease?; What is generally the lease term to which an airport would like to commit initially?; In today’s economic environment, what is best to put on your rent adjustments, CPI vs. FMV?; What do you do when your FBO is in direct competition with the Airport Authority?; and many more.”
NATA developed E-learn to broaden your educational horizons affordably from the convenience of your own office. NATA's new E-Learn Summer Webinar Series consists of several concise (about an hour or so), informative sessions on a wide array of topics important to our industry. For just $49.95, participants will receive a live connection to the webinar and pdf copy of presentation materials.
Come join some of the most knowledgeable industry experts for upcoming topics on Success With Social Media, New Or Amended Minimum Standards: How to Ensure that Minimum Standards Help Not Hinder Your Business, Hiring & Screening In Today's Market, and Social Media Strategies: Tools & Tactics for Success. | |
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| New 2010 NATA Airline Services Council Brochure Now Available For Member Use |
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| NATA recently updated and published its 2010 NATA Airline Services Council (NATA ASC) brochure. This brochure provides information on the latest activities that the NATA ASC is undertaking, including issues, meeting schedule and member listing.
The 2010 NATA ASC brochure is now available for download by clicking here.
Those members interested in receiving professionally printed hard copies of this brochure may contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff. | |
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| New NATA ASC Logo Available For Member Use |
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| NATA has created a new NATA ASC logo that members can use on company stationery, publications and their Web site. The association recently provided members with two types of logos that members can use as appropriate. Members wishing to secure the new logo may do so by contacting Eric Byer.
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| Environmental Fact Of The Month |
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| NATA’s quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing the initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
With tens of thousands of gallons of oil flooding into the Gulf of Mexico every day, it is an understatement to say that environmental issues are on everyone’s mind. There is a danger though in only seeing the big picture in terms of environmental impact, huge oil spills, lead emissions, and climate change. There are a series of environmental regulations that affect you business right now. Failing to understand or comply with these basic rules can cost your company in both fines and lost reputation.
Therefore, NATA has developed a series of environmentally conscious best practices for aviation companies. These best practices were created by a leading industry engineer who specializes in aviation environmental compliance and have been approved by the NATA Environmental Committee. The following environmental best practices are available to NATA members:
- Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
- Hazardous Waste
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention
- Used Batteries
- Used Oil
- Used Fluorescent Lamps
NATA recommends that member companies customize these policies and procedures to their operation and incorporate them into standard operating procedure. Doing so will help members continue to minimize their impact on our environment.
NATA’s environmental best practices can be viewed here. | |
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