I don't plan on ever bidding either FDA, but I still think this will affect me. The thing that really bothers me is the fear mongering that the company and union have been putting out. Don't buy into it. Like it's been said here many times before, if the company wanted to do that, we wouldn't be voting on an FDA LOA.

Fedex can't afford to take a chance on the brand by hiring Chinese, French, Irish or whatever pilots. For those of you here in 1998, remeber all the wet leasing and how they fell on their swords. If they company felt that they could take a chance on that, they would have done it already.

If they want to hire right into the left seat of the Bus in HKG, let them. I'm sure the insurance company will be very happy to hear we are putting brand new Capt's and F/O's for that matter into the HKG domicile.

I don't think most pilots want the moon in this LOA. I think most of us want the company(who could easily afford it) to present a reasonable LOA that doesn't exclude families from bidding it. It doen't have to be an executive package, but more generous than they are offering.

The Bottom line is, Fedex is doing what Fedex always does. They want to get what they want on the cheap. They are good at what they do and they use every tactis at their disposal. Unfortunately some of our pilots fall for it.

So don't vote out of fear. The world will not end, no matter what happens and for Gods sake, don't bid either FDA if the LOA fails(or passes for that matter). That is the only way we can send a clear message that we need to rethink that LOA.

Good Luck!