Gentlemen and Ladies (if present),
I thought I would opine on the fundamentals of where UPS and FedEx stand in negotiations -- regardless of timeline or duration in the process.
Since both Fedex and UPS are tied up in the NMB, here are some general observations beyond all this machismo rhetoric being spewed across the discussion board:
1. With the current state of the transportation industry -- pax, cargo, cars, etc. -- there is significant political pressure on the NMB to get a deal done WITHOUT releasing ANY party into a 30-day cooling off period that may eventually lead to self-help.
2. As much as I admire the "stones" demonstrated by the IPA for laying down an ultimatum ( a deal by 12/23 or else), it really carries no weight in the process. It would be ILLEGAL to enter into self-help without being released by the NMB. It ain't gonna happen folks.
3. Even if I'm wrong on #2, GWB will never allow FedEx and UPS to actually strike more than about 15 minutes -- think Clinton and AAL. Both entities are too important to the economy for a job action to drastically affect the economy.
4. The rhetoric about MGMT pilots being replacement workers is hypothetically possible, but come on -- only 200 pilots can't get the job done and everyone here knows it. Oh, you may say there will be IPA line crossing scabs, but even if the total number is 400 -- it still can't ge the job done.
5. How many strike votes has the IPA taken to date? Ever here of the "Boy who cried Wolf?". A strike vote doesn't mean shiatz unless you are approaching the end of the 30-day cooling off period and the situation is dire. UPS knows you guys will walk and they won't let that happen. Even if they do, GWB won't let that happen. See the trend here fellas?
6. This entire thread has degraded to the point of a "p---ing contest" and it may make everyone feel better to vent, but it does nothing to change the reality of the situation. Negotiations are long and painful. The NMB makes it worse. The Company will ALWAYS be able to work you over the coals. The general public is blind, dumb, and deaf to your cause. The professional airline pilot and the glory of being such (in the past) will never return.
7. The truth hurts. I wish all pilots the best, but the strength of ALPA and the IPA are nowhere near what you think them to possess. I'm at FredEx and I hate the situation, but it is what it is.
Good Luck to all. Get motivated for peak -- not.
NKA