Albief15

I joined the union MEC because I was so upset at the concept of the STV. On the other hand, the captain I flew with today voted for the LOA because he thought is was A) better than what we had B) protected our flying and C) thought STV was a GOOD deal...sort of a month's vacation for the family.

I disagreed on about all points...I think like MaxKts on this one. However, this guy isn't an indifferent idiot, or a MEM mafia guy...he is just looking at it from a different perspective than I would be.

However...like the LOA, I don't think think when faced with a SEASON away from home very many family guys are going to jump on the STV thing. Some single guys/divorced folks maybe....or families with no kids. But anyone with a family knows who there is NEVER a good time to be gone 3 months.

Again...time will tell.

RedeyeAV8r

Actually depending on time of year I think there might. It will depend on how many slots they ask for and wen they ask for it. If there are only 3-5 slots, I wouldn't be surprised to see some volunteers.

If CDG becomes a MD11 FDA, I'll be there for 3 months of late Spring, Summer or early Fall.Now HKG isn't my cup of Tea, but I'll wager we have a few folks who like it there and might bite.

I agree Dec,JAN, FEB MAR in CDG might go involuntary.

Albief15

First of all, I know Clarence and he is a great guy who busted his hump to get here. I won't tell his story for him, but wanted to be here and made a lot of sacrifices to make it happen.

Next--Clarence and his OBAP guys CONTINUALLY network, help each other, introduce each other around the industry, etc. June Viviano has a similar gig going on and has helped a lot of folks...male, female, and perhaps in between make contact with some of our FDX pilots over the years. In other words, they have been "meeting and greeting" for years. Some of these guys and gals were told years ago to apply "when they were competitve" or keep their applications active. I think Clarence's letter is nothing more than a warning shot to his friends that are still interested in being here. This isn't an insider conspiracy, but rather a continuation of an ongoing effort.

And for what its worth--I personally know a guy Al Glenn helped get his pilots liscense and pursue his aviation dream....and that kid was even more of a white redneck cracker than me (Said with affection for the dude I am referencing...an absolutely great guy). Its not about race, or sex, its about connections. What OBAP and WIA do is what I encourage a lot of my military bros to do...build a network and keep it going...even when you AREN'T actively looking for a job. That way you aren't a year behind when things change or when doors open.

digitalhiccup

Albief15

You Sir, are truly a class act.

That is all I wanted to say.



...and congratulations.

Jetjok

Truly a novel concept, that of someone having a differing viewpoint, and not being called: a jerk; a numbnuts; a scab; or any other endearing term. Good on you Albie for recognizing that other points of view not only exist, but are as valid as ones own.

Get rid of those 100 yard running shoes and get yourself some marathon ones, because for you, the fun is about to begin. Congratulations on your win. Now shut up and get to work, because this crew force can use the fresh approach and outlook.

hjs1971

If you purple guys are interested, talk to some of the ABX folks that are going through a similar deal with their flying out of Osaka...Rumor was that of the 40 "new hire" interviewees, only 4 offered to go there for 24 months (and I think most of them were expecting second year 767 F/O pay which one can live off, barely, in Osaka. Now they are being told it's only going to be first year pay, ouch!). This foreign domiciling is a strange new gorilla in the cockpit and it's gonna take a while for it to get figured out at all of the airlines trying to do it.

Bohica

Haven't heard of them resuming the Meet and Greet process yet, but there are plenty of folks who did them a year or more ago and haven't interviewed yet.

Charlie Murphy

The wisest statement ever posted on this website.

AerisArmis

At ground school a few weeks back BW, MD for Training spoke to us. Someone asked him about STV and he said that the whole concept of STV was to be able to serve "new" markets as the opportunities arose. It was not to staff the FDA's. They will be staffed by those who bid it and new hires as needed. Basically, if an opportunity arises to go into XYZ, they want to be able to bring over crews to fly it until FDA crews are awarded, trained and in place. May happen, may not, may be for a couple of months, may be for longer, might be in China, might be in CDG. A months flying, CDG to Timbuktu would take what, 5 crews (guess)? The thing about HKG STV is that the MEM A-300 pool is so much bigger than the MEM 757 pool that it might be easier to get 5 vols to HKG than CDG. Like every other comment here, this all is just a WAG.

FDXLAG

Make sense, good idea. I am all for making STV permanent. However, if you don't get enough volunteers you don't force someone to go, you use SIBA. If SIBA costs too much than they can make the FDA slots or the voluntary STV slots more attractive.

See how reasonable the anti LOA people are and how moronic the union position is.