I hope we don't resort to plan B (there is an increasing number that hope the current plan fails and plan B goes into effect). I hope we get the cards and its a done deal. I believe the "model" the FQS program has ran under for all these years will be "outdated" very soon with the NPRM. M.N. has a history of taking no prisoners when it comes to cutting costs (not too hard to find this info). I do not believe he will hesitate to reduce the staffing of those positions. MEF will become a thing of the past, since most of the time when they are called out to do this, it has been after a day in the training center or "in the office". Can't do it.

There are common things both groups should be focused on. SCS for one. Neither group is flying this stuff and it appears to becoming a larger and larger product being offered to various clients. SCS flying for the IPA would be a win for both groups.

I believe many of the junior FQS's just do not know whom to trust. It's up to them to make a decision. I know a couple that just do not like unions and will not sign their cards. I know a couple that are in over their heads financially and could not take ANY pay cut. The extra $2500 for the ANC guys helps them pay the bills. I just don't think they realize how much they have to lose. There has been a BIG shift on what the IPA thinks about their positions. The next contract it will be VERY apparent.

Funny thing is there are many issues we should be working together on. Not against each other. Full face oxygen, EVAS and other safety measures are coming ONLY because of the IPA's initiative. There are several in UPS management that were instrumental in making this happen, but with out the IPA it would not have happened. PERIOD.

B.T. was serious about the March 11 deadline. Only a couple of the most junior 44 have submitted cards. But the next 70 or so have almost all sent the cards in. So it is interesting that anyone that has working as an FQS for more than say 7 years has signed their card. Anyone junior has not. Those guys senior to you seem to know something you don't.