MD11/747 Lines in ANC
 

Ok, I hear a lot of complaints about the lines up in ANC. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I feel for you all that are new hires and don't want to commute or live in ANC, I myself would love a crack at either the MD or 747. Unfortunately I will have to wait until next year.

Anyone in the know hearing about what the lines/trips on both fleets might look over time? I hear some saying there will be changes over time to the MD fleet with ANC seeing more of the two week trips like out of Louisville. I would prefer moving to ANC and fly 3-4 on/3-4 off much like the lines are built now. If the trips were all two weeks on/two weeks off then I'd rather not bid it.

I Think it all depends on whether or not the company follows union recommendations. IPA has said they are not willing to make any changes for just the ANC domicile. That being true, I think the smart thing to do would be to have a mix much like now. Some long trips, some shorties.
I commute, and just got back from a three day to CAN and commuted straight home. That about killed me... now I only have four days off before I have to head back in again.
I think the trick is to match the percentage of lines to the percentage of folks who want/bid the long vs short trips.... Might not get the matrix that you want, but at least you get the line makeup you prefer.
I think due to the 30 hour/96 hour rules in the contract, there will always be 3 day stuffers and Open time will always be full of them. Come on up to ANC... ;-)

14,
Curious, where do you commute too?

If you are senior to me: THE LINES SUCK!!!! DON'T DO IT!!!

If you are junior to me: They're actually not bad.

The company line is the usual...

Blame the union, and then complain about the sick calls. I was in SDF last week in union/company meetings and got a strong dose of the same old song and dance. A manager puked out the same lines and said that the crossing restrictions prohibit building long blocks. I asked him about the SDF MD lines which are the most commutable lines I've seen here since I was hired 12 years ago and he...you guessed it, started complaining about the sick calls. I know for a fact that senior management's intent is to force as many as possible to move to ANC so they can reduce sick calls and max out hard time trips. It's no more personal than the rest of UPS' corporate behavior, but it adds insult to injury to lie so boldly about it. If the ANC membership would shut off the JA spigot things would change, but one can say that about the whole airline. Things MAY get better if the training backlog eases up, but that is imploding as well. Watch for the company begging for relief, and if they get it there will be a revolution.

What do you mean by a revolution?

Rott

Three hour drive south of SDF... That drive was tough after all that time "becoming one" with the airplane.

As for the JA issue, I haven't answered my phone yet with a 502 area code! not planning on it either.

Hello? What do you think it means. We ALL signed this POS contract. Now live with it.

The New Captains that went to ANC for the money, now want relief on the International rules. They don't like having to take the 48 hour and 96 hour braks in ANC. They want to be able to waive this, which some are doing, so they can back up there pairings. Tuff sh*t. By waiving our contract or making special rules for ANC, would weaken the whole group considerably.

Many wanted the quick cash, and now are having second thouhts since they thought the lines would get better. But with the Rest rules, they can't. The whole reason for ANC is to eliminate the Trip-rig!

If I could just get hired (well, OK.. interviewed) I'd LOVE to get ANC. Flew the 747-200 for NWA out of there for 3 yrs!! Live in SEA, the commute aint all that bad!!:)

Rob

Lighten up Francis...

What I'm saying is that amidst the in-progress breakdown of the entire system (not just ANC) due to the simulator fiasco, the lack of real hiring, the lack of real lift and limping aircraft around the system instead of really fixing them the system is about to implode. When it does look for Barr and Leadpipes to come to Miller asking for relief in the form of contract lift and relaxations on the contract. I seriously doubt he will, but if he did cut them any slack there would be a revolution amongst the rank and file for letting UPS off the hook.

As for ANC lines, the crossing rules aren't stopping them from making commutable lines...their egos departmental goals are. The SDF lines are in compliance and they are very commutable. Pay attention...