High Flying Workforce

Despite record fuel prices, one formerly struggling airline has finally turned a profit -- American Airlines is finally in the black. How? Remember those funny stories about getting rid of pillows on certain flights and eliminating olives from the salads? American turned minor cost reductions into major savings. But the real story is that the ideas were products of the company's human capital -- the existing workforce. Christian Science Monitor reports that two American Airlines mechanics built "Thumping Ralph" --a drill-bit sharpener made from discarded household machinery that allows them to get more use out of each bit-- saving the airline as much as $300,000 a year. The airline also benefited from a group of pilots who figured out that they could save fuel costs by using only one engine to taxi. What might happen if more managers listened to the ideas of their workforce? Read more...