Hehe, and I didn't even need a (tic) or a Foxhunteresque smiley for someone to get it!

 

I think that IF this is true, it will come to light eventually. Looking at the training letter for the 10 and the Boeing it appears to me that more of the over 60 folks are just using up their sick and DSA banks instead of going to the training. The number of guys on the training letters has decreased notably since the law didn't change by Sep 30th as predicted by the brain trusts at APAAD and ALPA.

I think their strategy will fall flat though, when the retro language is removed in the final language of the bill, or when the lawyers decide that they really weren't active, required crewmembers while they were malingering on the sick list. That would be some sweet justice for you.

It certainly should be done in broad daylight though, not under the table. It should be open for all S/Os, if in fact it is happening, not just those trying to avoid their time in the back while waiting for the law to possibly change.

As for the former professional instructors, the company probably needs them in the -11 schoolhouse more than they need them sitting on reserve in the back of the Boeing. They won't be eligible for passover pay until they can hold the right seat of the -11, and I doubt they would be using them if enough -11 right seaters wanted to flex, so I'm not sure I see the problem with it.

FJ

 

You guys need to take some sedatives and just freakin RELAX!!! Where do you get these fantastic stories and ideas from. The mushrooms you're eating are really doing a job on you and I suggest that you stop immediately!

The way you guys jump on something that's not even verified as true, and then you exaggerate, elongate and finally hypothesize is amazing. I'm going to start calling you all Sherlock Holmes.

The first post in this thread, by USNFDX (by the way, congratulations on Navy's win against ND, it's about time. The only team I dislike more than ND are the Cowboys) said "Apparently training is planning on hiring 727 S/Os who were formerly professional instructors as MD11 Flex's. They will teach MD sims and will continue fly as S/Os in the Boeing when they do their fly days.

None of these guys have seniority to hold the MD."

So, if his statement is true, the guys being asked to be flex instructors are: 1) Junior; and 2) currently flying the line.

So now we get vivid imaginations that take that statement and come up with these comments: 1) "Due to the tremendous support the company is seeing for the new FDAs; they have agreed to let over 60 727 S/O operate as flex instructors on the Mad Dog. These over 60 S/O will never have to train or operate trips in the slaveship (said affectionately). We applaud this effort and will look to solidify this gain in the next contract." (written with a sarcastic tone, but that comment brought forth this one: 2) Wait ... when I wanted FoxHunter to retire and go away, he called me an age bigot. Now he gets to work in the school house, not fly at night and not carry the coffee? He should at least have to carry a coffee jug around the school house!". Then this last one: 3) Not to mention evaluate your performance and recommend extra training for those "scabs" that were against Age 60 changing! In the name of fairness I think we should be able to administer their Class I physicals! I have the special glove for you today Mr FH!!!

You guys are really too much, besides anyone whose been here for more than a year or two, knows and understands the "good ole boy network" that is alive and well, both in management as well as the training department, here at FedEx. I'm not saying it's right (in fact I'm saying it's wrong!) but it is the way it is. I've got a call into DW to verify USNFDX's posts. Of course he could have tried to verify that "Captain's" statement, before starting this thread, but that might have been too much to ask, when it's much easier to throw some crap out and see if it sticks. As well, posting something like this allows all you guys to expand your already vivid imaginations.

And before any of you think that I'm flaming because I want that job, forget it. Although I'm current in the 727 S/O seat, as well as still being technically current in the MD-11 left seat, I want no part of anything in the training department. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll return.

JJ

 

I think this part of JJ's post explains the flexe hiring situation the best. There are not too many guys that want the job in the first place. I know in the 'Bus, they tried not to hire F/O's but that plan ended as soon as they found out that there aren't enough Captains that even want the job. How many of you that spun up about the original post actually want one of the jobs in question?

As far as flexes not flying the line, what do you expect them to do? The training department only lets guys flex to the line during their vacation months. Once you remove the trips the trips that are kicked out by vacation, you end up with a week of flying every three months. Fly days? No such thing until the third consecutive month in the sim. In short, don't blame all of the instructors for not flying; the company won't let them.

 

Are these guys being paid as 72 SO's when they instruct, or as WB Captains? Seems to me that as of right now, if you are past 60 and forced to the back seat, you technically are able to hold a WB Capt position and your pay would reflect a Second Officer?

 

JJ if anyone needs to relax it is you. My hilarious post was a play on the last idiotic message line. Not only was it written in a sarcastic tone, it was labeled as such from the start and was in response to:
And this:
The (fairly funny) Foxhunter response was a reply to this:

I’ve got no problem with the good ole boy network and wouldn’t want a job that requires more than 4 nights a year in mem either. If the guys being offered window seats (in the sim) are junior panel guys it is a good idea. But we should at least to pretend to offer it to everyone. As such, I do want the union to enforce the contract and I also want them to tell us about any deals they make.

 

JJ..

You missed out on some great humor while you were busy lecturing. I do not think any of the posts you quoted were being serious, and I know for a fact mine wasn't. Lighten up Francis and try to enjoy your new lease on life! We'll be sure to call next time we need someone to tell us how and what to say in the meantime so you won't have to look for guys to lecture..

Insert smiley face here..

 

You've had 3 takeoffs and landings the past 90 days? That's what I need to stay current, technically!

 

A mind is a terrible thing.....................

FJ

 

Not so. According to the FAA, you can be out of a cockpit for up to 2 years and gain recurrency by a sim or two, followed by a checkride. I was referring to not having to go through an entire ground school, as would be the case for someone who has been out of the cockpit for over 2 years.