Commercial Fixed Wing
Other stock clerk
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Manuals; Procedure
New Cargo system software went into production and approximately one week prior to implementation Stores personnel were trained on the new software application. Leadership mandated that all COMAT (Company Material) shipments be administered through the new software and as a result mandated that all parts for RON (Remaining Overnight) aircraft maintenance be shipped AOG (Aircraft On Ground) Status which is contradictory to the general procedures manual. When we asked for clarification so that we could identify what was a true AOG from a RON work package that was not we were given a memorandum signed by the stores manager which went further from the established procedures in the manual to the extent that we cannot identify a AOG COMAT shipment that is for a grounded aircraft or parts being sent for routine maintenance. We have specific guidance for managing AOG shipments in so much that we are required to physically hand the part to the Ramp Crew Chief and watch it be on-loaded; whereas a 'Must Ride' RON part can be left at the gate without interaction with Ramp Crew Chief. Stock Clerk personnel have been disciplined for not following the AOG guidelines even though the Clerk was unaware the part was a 'True AOG' because of management's mandate to ship all RON parts as AOG. Suggestions: Follow general procedures manual and ship aircraft parts for RON work as 'Maintenance Must Ride' and reserve the COMAT AOG status for aircraft grounded or discrepancies that if not competed will result in a grounded aircraft the will not be available for first launch as stated in the manual. The general procedures manual verbiage should be revised so that it is in line with current AOG and Maintenance Must Ride statuses due to the inception of this new system.
Aircraft parts stock clerk reported conflicting company procedures regarding the shipping of critical aircraft parts.