A prophet is often ridiculed and called crazy for the position they talk about. But the truth of their words may motivate some to action and will, in time, be proven or disproven. I read the review titled “PSA Stands for nothing. Literally.” And heard the wisdom which brought to light truths I knew, but was trying to ignore.
The Leadership at PSA has changed. Not in the way that creates opportunity, not for the better and not in the interest of Safety.
PSA Says:
“Our Vision: To be the most-respected regional airline, recognized for having the greatest team and performance.”
Respect is earned. It is not earned by the President. It is earned by the Flight attendant, the gate agent, the baggage handler, the Pilot, the Dispatcher, the Mechanic, the Ground handler, the Aircraft Cleaner. These people and many more provide the excellent service that ultimately earns the respect of the customers. Customers who face delays, apathetic crew or maintenance, or can’t get where they want to go don’t respect you, they despise you. They rejoice when another airline begins service to their destination.
The Greatest Team is not the highest paid, it’s not the biggest; the greatest team is that team which knows that each team member is watching out for each other. They believe in, and practice, accountability. They admit mistakes, they learn, they share their knowledge. They are a safety culture, they are continually improving. They seek out the challenges and solve them with creativity and applaud each success, they huddle up around the failures, to learn and grow. They embrace each new evolution in the changing landscape of technology and challenge themselves to be better tomorrow, because we were great today.
Performance naturally follows. Great teams don’t become great because they win championships...They have great leaders, great innovators, great coaches, and they are excellent in all they do...and then great teams win championships.
It is terrifying to think that what was often recited as a joke carries so much truth; ”We the willing, led by the unknowing are accomplishing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much for so long, with so little that they now think we can do everything with nothing.”
There is no excuse why PSA cannot be a career, and yet they view themselves as a stepping stone. They don’t keep talent. Don’t get me wrong, talent is noticed, and given more and more responsibility, and talented people help keep PSA working. But talent doesn’t wear blinders, and it doesn’t take long to find out there are others making more money, who can’t do the job, and you do it for them. You, the talented one, ENABLE them to have sub-par leadership because you save them from themselves. You stand in the gap, protecting the incompetent from their natural end. And for your efforts, when you do fail and let something by, you get crucified for your lack of attention to their details. Some of the talent learned early on, and you cover up your skill because you don’t want to move to something else. Some of you are holding out hope that things will change. If that’s you, you should wake up and look for a place that will see your value, see your worth and give it to you. PSA is managing its decline into the grave.
The new leadership has no regard for Safety. Changes are being made to bypass the natural reporting structures and when called out for this, people are being verbally beat down and told to shut up about it. Safety must be a part of what we do. People’s lives depend on it. And yet, when it interferes, it is summarily dismissed. This is the “new normal” at PSA. Those who stay, beware, the dam is getting holes poked in it.
Opportunity is out there. Find it. You have value, don’t waste it working for a leadership who is ready to sub-contract out your jobs and rule by fear.
