I hear what you're saying but I think there's a flaw in the argument. I am struggling with finding a way to say what I'm thinking without sounding like an insensitive bastard. Although most people think that about me anyway. I want to try to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.


Let's start with the statement by nightfr8dog that ABX is currently overstaffed by 5 to 7 pilots. This seems to be supported by the information that is available to rank and file pilots.


There are a large number of ABX pilots already on furlough that want to come back. In fact, another 7 or so are going to Join the list when their furlough from ATI begins next week.


The pilots who are already furloughed and the surplus pilots at ABX who have been informed they will be furloughed are all surplus ABX pilots. The only difference is that the ones who are getting furloughed from ABX this month are still getting a paycheck.


Our seniority rules determine the order in which people get to come back when the need for pilots increases.


When the union or management meddles with the process, the process breaks down. If the pilot group decides to pay the company to keep pilots on the payroll who are not needed, the pilot group is interfering with the natural order. They are selecting one group over another. The only fair option is to leave it alone and let the process run its course.


The real questioned is "what is gained by altering the process? and, what is lost?" Of course, if you are one the people directly affected by this, there will be an emotional component to deal with.


I am very sympathetic for the pilots who have been suffering through being furloughed for a long time AND for those who will live through that demoralizing fate in the future. If I could do something that would really help save their jobs I would not hesitate. This deal here is a lie. The only group it helps is management. ABX is trying to get soft hearted pilots to give money to the corporation under the false premiss that they will be saving jobs. Also, management gets a bonus by getting to keep lower paid pilots while excluding higher paid pilots.


My advise to pilots who might consider this out of a sense of guilt or charity is to start a non-profit charity to benefit furloughed pilots and donate the money they are considering donating to ATSG corporation to their charity instead, because that's all this is. This proposed LOA does not benefit the pilots. It is ONLY a gift to a cynical management group that has never given us any respect or any other decent human treatment.


Don't fall for the lie!