It is a complicated answer. Back in '87 when UPS made the announcement that they were to become an airline instead of using contractors to fly UPS aircraft, an "orderly transition" was agreed to between the Teamsters and UPS. The first 25 numbers were IPX pilots by date of hire. UPS purchased the remaining half interest in IPX which was their joint venture with DHL to obtain Japan routes. They didn't get the Japan routes but UPS used IPX and their two DC-8's on domestic routes. This explains the IPX on our certificate. The remaining seniority numbers went to group 1 and group 2. Group 1 were former carrier pilots flying UPS aircraft. The carriers were; Orion, Ryan, Evergreen and Interstate. Those pilots were employed by their respective carrier which had a contract to staff the aircraft for UPS.
Group 2 pilots were hired by UPS directly after 1-1-88 and were not from one of the contract carriers. The seniority list was constructed as follows;
Group 1 Captains by date of birth
Group 2 Captains by date of hire
Group 1 F/O's by date of birth
Group 2 F/O's by date of hire
Group 1 F/E's and PFE's by date of birth
Group 2 F/E's by date of hire