Covenant Aviation and the Art of Deception!

Tours of the Checkpoint and Baggage screening locations of Covenant Aviation in SFO are being lead by local TSA. So Covenant, ever wanting to give the appearance of a professional and well-managed company, has decided to put fresh lipstick on this pig!

We were told not to speak to any members of the tour group (in order to keep our trade secrets from getting out). What, if any, trade secrets do we have? How about none!  We follow, or at least should follow, the exact same SOP. 

Which brings us to this question: Why are other airports thinking of opting out of the TSA screening program and considering going to private contractors?  If we all follow the exact same SOP, there should be no difference in wait times or performance! In fact, a private contractor's main objective is to generate a profit at the expense of their employees. Worker morale and motivation deteriorates as more and more is taken away from the employees! These airports should seriously reconsider this course of action. Be careful what you wish for.

Which of these is the most probable?

Covenant Aviation Management has decided to announce the new supervisor assignments after the workforce new shift bids have been completed. They certainly don't want any of the workforce following certain supervisors to their new locations. 

Do they really think that that  is a strong possibility?

We think that it is just the opposite! There are certain supervisors that the workforce just doesn't want to work with!

So, what does that tell you about the leadership and motivational qualities of some supervisors? 

Of course Covenant management will never see it that way. Just how could the collective brain trust of our mental midgets promote the wrong people? It's just not possible, right?

What a load of horse manure!

Just who do they think they are kidding?  We all know better!

The mouth that roared is at it again!  John Mica should walk away and leave this alone.

( By the way, focus on the part that talks about what will happen to the current federal TSA screeners.)


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-tsa-sanford-privatize-20140923-story.html

It's hard to believe..

that 3 years ago today at 1:35 a.m., our first posting -- titled "Enough is Enough" -- marked the beginning of our attempt to keep you all informed about the comings and goings-on of our "Profit At Any Cost" company, Covenant Aviation.  

Our mission then, as it is now, was to keep you as informed as possible.  The constant swirl of rumors that were never affirmed, nor dispelled, by management could not continue.  We hope that the information that we have provided to you has helped to fill in the blanks.  We will continue our self-appointed mission of being your eyes and ears, and promise to pass along as much as possible.

Thanks to all of those who have contributed articles and bits of information to help our efforts.

By the way, we cannot end this posting without commenting on "Survey Monkey."  Covenant is, by their own admission, trying to understand the workforce better.  They are trying to pass the blame for the hostile relationship that exist onto the supervisors. They want to know if there is any favoritism taking place, and if we are being mistreated. There has always been favoritism, and CAS management has been the biggest offender.

The supervisors are not the problem.  CAS management created this monster and, as usual, they will not accept any responsibility. Do they really need a survey to learn something that they should already know? Just where have their collective heads been all these years?  Anyone want to take a guess?

The Newspaper Articles That Came Out Today!

Here are the links in case you haven't seen them.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2012/08/company-neglects-safety-sfo-bag-screeners-say

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2012/08/whistle-blowers-fear-retribution-employer?category=16

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local

Could any of this possibly be true?

What say you?

Vote No on the LBFO from CAS

Let's address these topics in the order in which they were presented.

The relationship between CAS and the workforce:  The relationship has always been "Us against Them."  Covenant has never shown an ounce of concern about the issues that we have as individuals and as heads of households.  Who does Mike Boles think he is kidding?  If our relationship with CAS is better than those of other companies with CAS, we pity the other companies.

Mike Boles has the gall to state that the combined wage and benefits package far exceeds the TSA minimums.  Our benefits package is way below what our TSA workforce counterparts receive.  We have facts and figures to back up our statement.

If CAS were to lose this contract, the only losers would be CAS!  The workforce would still be here, minus the overpaid excess baggage of upper management.  We don't foresee another private contractor getting this contract.  SFO is the sixth largest airport in the country, and SFO would fit nicely into the TSA empire.  After all, we are TSA trained and certified and have worked closely with the local TSA managers at SFO.  Sounds like a perfect fit to us!

Why would the TSA expose themselves to the same low morale and unmotivated workforce that are inevitable with a private contractor?  As for the issue of our seniority not being recognized, we will  fight that battle also.  It is well worth the risk.


Wages:  It is true that there is a wage freeze for the TSA workforce, and that they have not received a raise in two years.  Even so, it would take us over 8 years at 2.1% to catch up to what they are making now. 

One final thought to leave you with:

The Department of Justice has determined that Covenant is in violation of USERRA.  This issue relates to the current and former members of the military who are part of the workforce.  Covenant has been discriminating against them when it comes to promotions and back pay.  When CAS talks about "Team SFO", they very conveniently have left out our veterans.

http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/userra.htm

Summary:  We are not "one" team, and we never have been!

Deny it all you want...

Mr. Mica, but we know better.

( Finally, there are others who believe what we have suspected for quite some time.)

You can't fool all of the people all of the time!

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/micas-ties-private-airport-security-company-questi/nPJLX/

GASS Expands

The "security firm" providing General Airport Security Services will get an additional $700,000 earmarked from SFIA at the next Airport Commission meeting. These funds are primarily being committed to secure the airport checkpoints during non-operational hours.

This is in line with practices at other airports. TSA has been designating airports cover these costs as being outside the mandate of TSA screening.

If there is more to this story (why did SFO get federally paid security during those hours?), I don't expect a paper trail, but you never know considering some of the actors in this drama. In any case, the graveyard shift looks to be a casualty of something happening later rather than sooner. Certainly, it was profitable while the contracts were "cost plus" on a federal level (obscenely profitable, perhaps). And CAS simply puts out their other hand to collect from SFO when the contract rules change. $700,000 worth of change.

Simple, yet inelegant. Mario Puzo couldn't dream this stuff up.

And Now a Word From Our Non-Sponsors

Sacramento International Airport's Central Terminal B is now open.

Check out this design pic from Sacramento's "terminal modernization":



Are you getting a sinking feeling that this is SFO-junior?
(http://www.sacramento.aero/smf/about/history/)

And, yes, we hear they are applying to the Screening Partnership Program.

Is this the work of Dan Lungren, or the SEIU?

From the looks of the building design, is Willie Brown involved? Maybe not, the materials look to be government standard, I can't see the signature Willie Brown upgrades. But other than him, it looks to be the usual suspects.

NY Daily News Not Naming Names of Nameless, Faceless Private Security

We missed this February 28 article because it does not name the "security firm" involved.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-28/news/31105829_1_taxiway-boom-truck-port-authority

The firm is not named, but still I must revise my previous post - it looks like there were no moving vans involved!

Money quote: "Moore also blamed ... the security firm for doing nothing when it spotted the truck".

Now that security firm is being sued!

New York Daily News doesn't need to name the firm, they're all pretty much the same. Except some might have higher insurance rates, and higher priced lawyers, and lobbyists, and legal settlement costs, and profit-sharing offers with local airport boards. And that motivates said employees of "security firm" to do what? Moore? Exactly!

Now these are some eye popping numbers!

Closely held Covenant Aviation Security LLC has been
awarded at least $692 million in contracts since 2002, more than
twice as much as any other private-screening company, according
to a Bloomberg Government review of TSA contracts.

Covenant is based in Winter Springs, Florida, in Rep. John Mica’s
district. The congressman said Covenant’s location hasn’t
influenced his view.

Well, Mr. Mica, just how many employees work at the base office in Winter Springs, Florida? Would that number be just one? Do the initials Gee Bee help?

Will they get the new shift bid schedules right?

It's been 8 plus years since our wonderful management team has attempted to get a workable schedule in place. What are the odds that they will finally succeed? How about, "not a snowballs chance in hell." With the blind leading the blind they will no doubt fail again.

Maybe they should admit defeat and realize that it is beyond their capabilities. Now, what is it that they can do right? Does anyone have any thoughts?

And the Testing Goes On and On!

We all know that we have been tested to no end by the TSA, but a question remains to be asked, are all airports subject to this, or is it just us?

We believe that this is a direct result of the calls from Rep. John Mica to privatize more airports and to reduce the size of the TSA. When push comes to shove, and the TSA is being shoved mighty hard, the TSA will be relentless in defending their turf. They are doing what any agency would do.

The sad part is that CAS management did not see this coming. They have failed to anticipate this kind of response from the TSA. And, therein lies the problem.

So, keep expecting to see more and more testing. Keep expecting it to continue with no end in sight.

We are dropping like flies!

The last information we received on the number of CAS employees recently fired stood somewhere around 24. Are the managerial missteps from the past finally coming home to roost? Bad decisions eventually do catch up to all of us at some point. It appears that that time has come!

From zero out of 5 to six out of 12 is, in some circles, considered to be an improvement. Unfortunately, those numbers just aren't good enough.

Does CAS management see where all this is headed? Will they ever get the picture? We know what the TSA will be putting before Rep. John Mica when and if he resumes his push for the privatization of more airports. The proof is in the pudding!

Does anyone else wonder aside from us?

Just what is the connection between Gerry Berry and Rep. John Mica? How far back does it go? Are they childhood friends? Were they classmates at one time? Are they Vietnam war buddies?

Just what makes "The Mouth that Roared" so pro private contractor? It can't be just campaign contributions, can it? Compromising photos? What's the skinny? And just why did Administrator Pistole cave in? Was he just trying to save his TSA empire?

We shall see what we can dig up and keep you posted.
This might just make for interesting reading.

Stay tuned!

The Silence is Deafening!

Isn't it strange that the mouth that roared has stopped roaring? Of course, we are talking about Rep. John Mica. Was his crusade against TSA just made to deter a federal takeover of SFO? What better way to accomplish your goal than to attack TSA as an out of control agency that had to be stopped!

How many times has he been quoted extolling the value of private contractors in providing airport security? Yeah, the 16 airports that are part of the SPP are a shining example of the best that money can buy. Let's see, Tupelo, MS., Jackson Hole, WY., Sioux Falls, S.D. are just a few of the shining examples.

We all know that his main target was SFO on behalf of his blood brother Gerry Berry of Winter Springs, Fla.

So, was SFO the payment to get him to stop his onslaught? Or, will he help blood brother Gerry get more airports by continuing his campaign? We are certainly surprised, but not shocked, that TSA caved in. To be continued.....

It just doesn't hold up!

Earlier this week TSA removed a certain item from our screening locations. (Both at checkpoint and baggage locations.) If you don't know what we mean, ask your supervisors. The reason(s) that was(were) given contradict what has been found to be true for the past 8 plus years. Just what is going on?

Is this decision one that was made by local TSA? Or, is it coming from TSA headquarters? Either way it is very controversial.

We shall attempt to get an acceptable explanation, or at least one that bears up under scrutiny.

Just where do we fit in?

On March 16th, TSA gave a security briefing that was essentially a re-hash of the weekly TSA security bulletins. Several of those that attended that meeting said that two important items were mentioned. One item was that SFO has been identified as a "high value terrorist target" along with LAX. The second item was more important. This item stated, that since we are not really TSA, we would not be able to become part of a program which would give us top secret security briefings. Make no mistake about this, this information would enable us to be better prepared in dealing with threats that might be coming our way.

So, once again, we are left out. Once again the safety of the American public is of secondary importance. We are left to fend for ourselves because we are not "really" TSA.

Then, why is CAS still here? Is our security clearance not at the same level as our TSA counterparts? Are we not trustworthy? What are we missing here?

We need to have the same tools and information as our TSA counterparts. We are not expendable and, for that matter, the safety of the American public flying out of SFO should not be of secondary importance. Why has TSA not done what should have been done a long time ago? I guess it must be pure politics at its best!

Cooking the Books

Those that know, and that would include you dear readers, know that Covenant Aviation Security is not a typical for-profit business. A typical for-profit business would attempt to be lean, mean, and green. We all know that that is not Covenant's modus operandi. We need not look further to prove that than the constant crazy movements that we all have been a part of.

One of the ways that CAS maximizes their profits is by taking advantage of the government contractor relationship. That is accomplished any number of ways. But let's discuss one of those as well as how local TSA is complicit in that.

CAS regularly uses certified TSOs, LTSOs, or STSOs for administrative work that should be coming out of their own separate budget. That is, until they get busted for doing it via a TSA audit.

Why does it take an audit? Well, local TSA doesn't officially know about it until they do an audit per TSA HQ. I suppose the bigger question that should be asked is why does local TSA allow CAS to get away with it? Simply put, it's in their best interest for CAS to succeed. If CAS were to get booted out of here, then all of those TSA suits would actually have to do some work other than their occasional audit. But let's not get too side tracked and detail some of these fudging of numbers.

Not long ago CAS had certified LTSOs running the EAC. They still have some certified STSOs working in scheduling. They have certified TSOs performing IT duties, getting paid acting lead wages.

According to the books, CAS has 24 trainers. At last count, it was more like 7 that actually work there; unless you want to count the uselessness of the Assistant Training Managers as part of that number.

And a little over a year ago, CAS was forced to get rid of their made up positions of "Certified Assistant Manager" for the less flashy title of Floor Supervisor. Remember, those "CAM"s were listed on the books as STSOs.

One of the things we need to realize about this scam job is that all of those certified Officers they pull to do that work are fewer Officers we have to help the rest of us doing the work at the checkpoints and bag rooms. And just to make it clear: our beef is not with those people performing those duties listed above. Many of them are absolutely wonderful people just looking to survive by getting off the floor. Our beef is with the unscrupulous activities of Covenant management and the bilking of our tax dollars to serve their greater good.

Folks, it's time we all stop sitting idly by and not calling them on this. Not long ago Gerry Berry begged Covenant employees to contact their elected representatives in supporting Senator Roy Blunt's proposed legislation in keeping SPP going. Here at Security First @ SFO think it's time to let our elected representatives know that SPP is not the way to keep going. It's not the best thing for our national budget and it's not the best thing for security.

What a load of Horse Manure!

This can not go unanswered. SEIU has pulled out all the stops. Let's meet this challenge head on.

Here is a copy of what was sent as a rebuttal to Rep. John Mica's paid endorsement.

We are members of the private screening workforce at SFO under the SPP gravy train. We are forced to join the local chapter of SEIU in order to keep our jobs. The union ties to the Democratic party and Rep. John Mica warrant a closer look. Spend some time and effort and review the issues that we face daily. Artificially inflating our staffing levels is only one of our issues. A for profit private contractor will never put security over profits first. Ask the current and former employees of Covenant Aviation what they think of this SPP workforce that skimps on what is needed to provide a highly motivated and trained workforce. Howard Beale. H2Beale@Gmail.com