Originally Posted by
300ER Hauler
FWIW ... Just in Koln with 2 senior managers I know very well. They are always frank and up front with me and have nailed things on the head in the past. Their cut from a senior level management pilot meeting 2 weeks ago was the position that UPS DOES NOT want to furlough. Granted they don't have a crystal ball into the spring and summer of 09 and beyond but the current stance as of 2 weeks ago was that with military, retirements, current block hours and the cost/benefit of a "short term" furlough, it did not make sense to pull the trigger. Please guys, everyone chill and do their job. Be wise about your outflow right now and sit tight. All this banter does nothing but spool up the indians for no reason. We always complain that UPS runs too lean, maybe this will pay us dividends now.
I heard the same exact response-almost to the letter-from one of our senior managment types, who I've know for 20+ years. And for the record, I make it a rule not to trust anyone in managment until I see it on the ramp or in the bid package.
In addition, it was mentioned that a furlough, if it were to occur, would be the last step after furlough mitigation steps were implemented. I have not heard of reduction in average line values, voluntary leaves, early-outs, etc. Even though we see flight cancellations and the closure of sort facilities at DFW/CAE, it doesn't signal that the UPS is about to fold. These, when compared to other airlines I've worked at shows that someone is minding the store and making prudent business decisions based on the challenges of today's economic environment. I've worked many places whereas the airline would operate unprofitable routes and then scratch their moneymaker and say, "Why are we losing money ?".
I know we all love sensational, we love being ambulance chasers, and we'd love to be the first to report the discovery of blonde-hair monkeys on Saturn, however; until other steps (towards a furlough) materialize we're just spinning our wheels and causing unnecessary grief and distraction.
Over and Out,
FF