There have been some questions about the commitment of the FQS.
Their hesitation is understandable.
For years they have been told that the IPA is the enemy and now all of a sudden the IPA is the solution.
There are two choices:
-joining the IPA means offering them stability, a number on the seniority list and a guaranteed job until retirement, but it might come with a (temporary) pay cut.
-Remaining a FQS with UPS on the other hand is a shaky roll of the dice at best.
No guarantees. There will be a lot of uncertainness about job security, based on the proposed NPRM rules. What the IPA has uncovered in the comments by UPS in reply to the NPRM is pretty clear.
If UPS does not exactly get what they want from the FAA, they will eliminate the FQS positions:
With respect to considering all “administrative” work performed by a management pilot as duty, UPS believes that the unintended consequence is that all management pilot positions will become non-flying positions. (P.75)
I assume that the Company’s intention to eliminate the FQS jobs has been made abundantly clear to all FQS by management.
Therefore the content and consequences of Docket No. FAA-2009-1093 should not be news to them.
Then the question becomes whether UPS will retain administrative employees at airline pilot salaries?
Time for some soul searching.
BCM