Originally Posted by
RedeyeAV8r
Rock
Look to the Future. FedEx seems to be going to an all Boeing Fleet.
In 10 years it is conceivable we will only have 777, 767, and 757.
For every A300 parked or MD10, what if some of those are replaced by 757. Is that a positive thing? If they are replaced with 767 in a 767 WB BID pack it is a wash (mostly). Now if we could only get the Reserves to be separated.
It is in the Pilots Long term Best interest to separate the 767 from the 757, and not just hourly rate. Less WB means less wide body Captains and FO which means less opportunity to earn WB pay which could negatively affect your High 5 for retirement.
If the 757 was paid at WB rate for everyone it wouldn't matter as much, but it doesn't. The 767 is new A/C and we need to establish it as a WB.
But the 757 is a NB Category by the Contract. This LOA solidifies the 767 as a WB Category.
I think you are correct about the all Boeing fleet. But the number of 757/767/777s in that fleet will be based on company requirements. That includes how the A300/MD10/MD11 are replaced (or even if they are). I do think FedEx does a pretty good job of managing its fleet, and from what I can tell, most of that decision making is done without ALPA help. If anything, contractual language that makes WBs more expensive for them might actually influence them to buy fewer WBs.
I don't believe the 76 was ever going to be classified a NB. Too much precedent in and out of FedEx for that to happen. Whether the 75/76 bidpacks are combined or separate, I think there is very little chance a captain flying a 76 was going to be flying at NB pay. The tougher question is how reserve/vacation/training would pay in a combined bidpack. But a captain senior enough to hold the 76 in a separate bidpack, would be senior enough to fly 76 trips in a combined bidpack, or even bid the 777. If he's pushing for high 5, he'll get WB pay whether the 75/76 bidpacks are combined or not.
Regardless, the number of 76s in the fleet would probably be the same if the bidpacks are combined or separate. What I'm not clear on, is how combining the bidpacks reduces the number of pilots required to fly them. I suppose it could come down to the number of pilots required to man reserve positions. But then...this LOA pools the reserve pool. That leaves vacation and training. What else am I missing?
I appreciate your response. I'm honestly not just trying to start arguments here. My posting history backs that up. Just trying to clarify my own thoughts before I vote.