Originally Posted by
Rock
The 757/767 type rating would allow pilots to fly either platform. If Fedex buys the 767 it wouldn't make sense to limit pilots with the type rating to only fly one of the aircraft types. I hate to use the term "common sense", but I'd hope it applies here. O mentioned in a sidebar that the 76 would definitely be considered a widebody. Plenty of ways to skin the cat. Most of them are basically win-win. Really, the only "lose" would be to limit pilots to either the 75 or the 76. Less scheduling flexibility and more training for FedEx. Less scheduling flexibility and possibly less pay for pilots.
I have to agree with Busboy, and others I have met -
"Common sense" is not referenced in the CBA nor in any discussions regarding intent or past practice. I don't think it's germane to determining our rights or the company's responsibilities.
We need to protect those who bid the 767 (and MD11/777/A300). They should be guaranteed widebody pay at all times. If there are any loopholes that lets the company pay them at narrowbody rates or shift their flying to a more cheaply paid 767/757 bid pack we will have failed in our negotiations.
If the 767 is coming, I see at least three options in our future -
We could have two bid packs (regular and secondary lines) with a combined reserve pool with no change in pay rates. That would save the company some serious money. Not perfect as some widebody flying that could have gone to 767 holders will end up going to 757 reserve crewmembers. This is a win for the company as they will man the 767 lean and the 757 fat. Expect to see lots of 767 flying held back in various forms for reserves in this case. Also expect lots of reserve lines, on the 757 side.
Another way is to have a combined bidpack also without eliminating narrowbody pay rates. This is the worst option. Management will burn the midnight oil trying to "optimize" every 767 line. I would expect them to be minimized. I'd expect to see 757 at a higher BLG. At the last minute 757 guys would be put into sub and assigned 767 flying. Wouldn't it be great for a mid level widebody crewmember to come over to the 767/757 bid pack only to get pushed down to a narrowbody schedule when some senior crewmembers pile on top of them? Not!
Another win for the company without anything for us except landmines for unsuspecting crewmembers.
IMHO one of the best plans is to put everyone on widebody pay. This would eliminate many games the company could play. Remember 4a2b? Over/Undermanning fleets. Training letter games. You get the picture, their track record is poor and we need to plan for the worst option.
Not insignificantly, it would discourage management from moving MD11 or A300 flying to a 767/757 bid pack. There could be lopsided line averages across fleet types to favor the fleet du jour. Seen that one before too.
Eliminating narrowbody rates would meet great resistance. Mostly because they're already counting the money that's going to be paid out in bonuses after working over the pilots on this deal. Saving money on a combined reserve system is more than enough to make the 767 worthwhile but they think we're too stupid to know it. There are pilots who will also oppose it because they think they're too senior to be affected and can't see negotiating capital being spent on folks junior to them. That's why we got hosed on the first FDA LOA. Many will be wrong about how high this could hit the seniority list.
Get ready. The fight is coming.