A NO vote from the sandman.

....now back to my beer.........

and more Joe Izuzu:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDK8B...elated&search=

Is that what those were? They looked suspiciously like squirrel porn diagrams....so I hear. :D

First post, and yes, I’m a newbie and won’t deny that I’m working in the crewforce arena. I am however NOT Management. I will try to reply to all the posts numerically.1) First and foremost I am NOT management, some would even consider me to be a “hardliner”, say what you will.2) I don’t smoke crack nor have ever.3) The SVT was placed in the LOA in case crewmember did not decide to bid on the position, there is thought that the positions will be filled with the current/FUTURE crewforce by bidding and the SVT will not be used as it is a cost to the company an additional amount to displace crewmembers. It was set up as a “temporary” fix to a long term goal. The MEC was not “happy” about it, but this was a negotiation release to gain others. Again current/FUTURE crewforce.4) SIBA is GONE, this is done, it will be flown by us overseas or others.5) 2700X 12 + 10,000, plus storage > 79 X Hourly rate (This is an easy equation for the less interested)6) I may have put too many interests into the opening when I said we were overstaffed but would hire into the seats needed. We are FAT, but the pilots that would bid captain overseas would come from the 300/727 F/O positions, the need would be for foreign f/o’s and a stagnation of domestic/ training float/ age 60. Again we have a large training float due to the 757 and other a/c initiative.7) I’ve come on this board with anonymity and have used this to discuss the issue with MY fellow crewmembers. If you don’t like the fact I won’t display my name, than please disregard this post.8) MEC 11-1.9) I won’t use “trust me”, but I will say again “the alternative is bad”10) We do have an industry leading scope, but look at our industry. We have a major loophole that management is willing to exploit.11) We are VERY overstaffed, talk to anyone in the Boeing. This excess along with the age 60 pilots moving to the B727, the 10 pilots moving to the Boeing, our new negotiated open time visibility (lack of need for as many reserves) and the expectance of age 65.12) FUD, is an old age Union term we used to comfort ourselves. Poker is poker and bluffing is bluffing, when you play poker and bluff be prepared to loose to the person with the bigger bank roll. (I’m sure the anti MEC people are salivating at this)13) It is cheaper to hire foreign pilots, FACT. Ask our Canadian friends flying our A/C.14) Not a Junior/Senior issue, it will actually help more junior members than senior. Narrow F/O’s will bid captain overseas for pay increase, this will in turn process the need for new hires.15) Block me, call me “BC”, Age 60 issue is not this issue, but one does inherently effect the other and by voting no will not help the other, actually it will hurt it16) LOA or NO LOA there will be FedEx planes flying in Europe.17) I don’t live nor work in a cubical.18) With the excess there is still a need for training float and foreign domicile, however if you eliminate the need for a foreign domicile then there is a different excess.19) If you don’t have faith in our negotiated agreement, what makes you comfortable with an MEC grievance?20) 500 excess, was not the intent, age 60, the higher number of retainers, and the new a/c played into this number. Yes people jumper 150 numbers, but not the 225 that was expected.21) I think I hit most of the questions and comments(insults)

Hmmmm.............3 TRUST ME's in a lenghty unqualified "in the know", "I'm the Shizzzit", "these are the facts" first time drive by post........HMMMMM....well you about got it covered in the trust me department. 1.) The checks in the mail..... 2.) I'll pullout......and 3.) I won't -----------------(won't be vulgar)....yep, it's all there. Talk to the hand.

I hadn’t decided on which way to vote until reading Rowdy1’s post. After reading his post, I’m voting NO.

My guess is that Rowdy is a 10 S/O over 60. If they kick out all of those like him and there is no room to put them in the 727, they have to leave. If we say yes to the LOA and create movement, there will be room for him and other dependers. Just a thought.

That would explain:

I would have said the majority of 10 pilots are moving to the 11 or the bus....

The simplest question is if your message is true, then why are we the APC faithful the only ones hearing it? These are serious issues you speak of, seems that we all should hear them in print or person from our representatives. Instead only a small slice of the group that are probably deemed to be the more militant and irrational of the herd have been chosen to receive 'the tablet'. I still fail to see how anything in the LOA or CBA will force the pilots you speak bid these Captain positions. Also, if we're fat we're fat so why would 300/727 FO's moving to FDA Captain create newhires? Wouldn't the 'surplus' pilots move into those vacated positions, lessen the load on the backseat of the Boeing in anticipation of the -10 FE surplus, but still ultimately leave us fat?

Oh and I have no faith in an MEC grievance-at least as far as means to stop this LOA. What I do have faith in is that neither this MEC or Prater will allow those jobs to go overseas without a fight and by fight I mean making a last minute deal with the Co. before it comes to fruition. It could be that the company implements the LOA provisions anyway, runs a bid, and STV's away while ALPA initiates a grievance that will drag on until Sec. 6 openers where both parties 'agree' to include the grievance in the new contract. Meanwhile over at the Legend of Doom the FDA's are humming away as both parties planned/wished. That's a pretty good way to get around membership ratification of all LOA's. A temporary restraining order and meeting in front of a judge is another, as much like bankruptcy our policy manual isn't set up for such a scenario. Any adjudicated settlement out of that would likely be outside MR as well. Or the 'unthinkable' could happen. DW could just agree to fall on his sword, sign the deal and accept the subsequent recall. It would be brilliant actually as there is no way the process would take place fast enough to stop a bid or whatever court action would be necessary to rescind his agreeing to the deal. By agreeing to take the fall, he would be going down to his peers not the wolves that have been coming for him lately. The rest of the MEC would likely be spared, clearing the way for them to bring him back at a later time. I'm no lawyer or ALPA politico, so if I can think of ways around this deal I'm sure they've thought of these and more. It's just easier for all involved if we just take our pill voluntarily.

Focker....................out

Trust me??
 

Trust me? You mean like the mechanics and thousands of other non-union FX employees did when their retirements just got gutted by a unilateral "improvement" via the DB/DC scheme? Without a contract we'd be screwed exactly the same way.

Are we supposed to "trust" enough to sign a blank tax return for a foreign country at a completely unknown tax liability? What does trust get you when you end up paying 40, 50, 60% of your income in taxes...who knows?...and then have to get by in one of the most expensive cities in the world on the rest? Is trust a factor when you're stuck for 3 yrs home schooling your kids over a rice bowl in a studio?

Do we trust SVT? That in itself opens an enormous door to something very bad. It's a non-starter by itself.

You obviously haven't filed an expense report lately--or had your paycheck deducted--if you think trust carries any weight when dollar signs are involved.

Can you say "whipser campaign?"
 

Here are my FedEx LOA Final thoughts!

We as pilots are collectively wh0res and the company is asking us to work without a condom (no details/STV) on this LOA. It isn't going to happen. And now, the company via Rowdy1(union official/management) is implying that we need to turn this trick or take a beating(foreign pilots/undefined threats). I think that sums it up.

I choose neither!

Show yourself Rowdy1 via FCIF or Message Line it does not matter.

I Vote NO!