Originally Posted by ghilis101

I don't blame you guys for naysaying but I'll do my best to logically point out why this whole ABX 767 thing is a scare tactic designed to make you, the freight pilot, fear for your life at the expense of more money to be skimmed at the top:

DHL actually likes ABX as a trusted performer. DHL, however, dislikes ABX senior leadership for reasons that are beyond me. The US market is booming for DHL, the investments in CVG are through the roof to grow it into a monster hub. This 767 bid is a tactic that DHL is using to "shop around." They just want to see if ABX will lower their bid, and if any carriers like Southern will come in with another lowball bid. Fortunately for ABX/Atlas/Kalitta/Southern, they all belong to Local 1224 now. They have made it clear to DHL that there will be no more undercutting/whipsawing/lowballing/etc. This was communicated to them last month in Germany at the Annual General Meeting, and I do believe theyre not interested in going after pilot payrates specifically.

With that being said, the money to be made is going to be based on what your management bids minus the associated operating costs. If you guys aren't aware, ABX makes money, they make quite a bit of it. ABX pilots don't take concessions because they don't need to and they know it. If anyone thinks ABX is gonna close its doors because the pilots make too much money, do the research on how much pilot labor costs. The shutdown threat that loomed years ago was a pure scare tactic, the pilots called their bluff, management got hostile, and here we are today. No shutdown, and ABX is shortstaffed on pilots but refuse to recall.

Now bring in Atlas/Kalitta/Southern. Atlas is the best candidate because they already have a 767 program. Southern wants in any way they can. Kalitta wants to package an operating + Oscoda maintenance hub deal. All 3 of these airlines will make money without taking concessions. So the question is, why would the pilots ever be so spooked into thinking if they don't win this contract they cant put food on the table? This isn't about that. Its about earning a wage you deserve. You should never be tricked into thinking its YOUR fault because you didn't want to work for pennies on the dollar. Do you know how much Connie Kalitta makes? Im so amazed sometimes at the sympathy towards those who drive pilot wages down. Its really disturbing. Stand together fellow Teamsters. You will not break. I promise.