hamfisted

First, I am just as adamently opposed to the whole Age 65 mess as is any other guy in his late 30's to early 50's who feels like we just got fed a dookee sandwich. And I find it increasinlgly difficult to tolerate the guys who just won the lotto and want to rub it in our faces with their smirks and snide remarks. And don't even get me started about how I feel continually disregarded and ignored by MY Union that is supposed to represent the position of it's members. We got flesh blood in the Union hopefully working that quagmire.
HOWEVER, I am trying to force myself to look at this in a different perspective simply because I don't want this single decision to completely ruin for me what is still the greatest job in the world. Yep, it sucks our career progression and QOL will take a significant hit because of this new law. And I was looking forward to moving to the left seat and making some really good coin just as much as the next guy. But I also tell myself to keep trying to remember how dang excited and happy I was the day I got the call for a class date to start for Fedex. If you would have told me then that there was the distinct possibility that at some point in my career this would happen, I wouldn't have even blinked. I would have still been whistling the whole time I packed my bags for new-hire class.
I still believe I have the best job in the world even if it means sitting in the right seat for a few more years. I just have to keep telling myself to TRY to lower my emotional volatility level, take a deep breath and move on. If you took a job in this industry thinking it would be smooth sailing and no financial disruptions at any time in your career, you were wrong. Those poor dudes at Delta, United, USAir and NWA I'm sure felt just as betrayed when they and their pensions got sold up the river.
All in all, I still love this job, make a very good living and get to work with some of the best people in the world.
I've removed the rose-colored glasses so.....flame away boys.

vagabond

ham, thank you for a well thought out post, which some people may consider contrarian, but I consider a breath of fresh air after all the vitriolic comments that have been made since Dec 13. There will always be someone better off than you and someone worse off than you. The important thing is to figure out how to work within the confines of this new law to improve your own financial and professional situation, and to include working for the greater good. The law is the way it is, and it's time to think of the future instead of whining over the past. Thanks again.

fly2ski

Ham Glad you clarified that under 53 is not a geezer. As a 2 year WB Capt and 46 yo, my biggest concern is we will lose the option to leave early. Protect the A plan the B plan and not everyone will work til 65. Look at the retirments just in the last few days. That whole FCIF thing is optional. Just because you don't see it in writing guys are still retiring. The best thing we could do is keep making the scheduals worse and worse. That force the old ba$t@r&s out. Oh ya I'm the guy flying those trips already

Gunter

You have to assume this was going to change sooner or later.

Retro gives guys who turned 60 in 2002 a second chance at FedEx. More likely, they will get passover if they are 63 or older. So it only only affects guys who turned 60 in 2004.

I personally think this thing could have changed in the 2002-2004 timeframe. So the retro thing is almost a wash. The guys who turned 60 this year at Pax carriers are affected, IMHO, as adversely as many who will upgrade or get hired late. Since political issues like this are handled with compromise, this is not an entirely unreasonable outcome.


Note--I am not for this change, just trying to look at from a perspective devoid of the heat that most of us choose to feel about this issue.

FR8Hauler

Ham good post. Things could be a hell of a lot worse. Just don't let management know you are happy!

Gunter

You have to assume this was going to change sooner or later.

Retro gives guys who turned 60 in 2002 a second chance at FedEx. More likely, they will get passover if they are 63 or older. So it only only affects guys who turned 60 in 2004.

I personally think this thing could have changed in the 2002-2004 timeframe. So the retro thing is almost a wash. The guys who turned 60 this year at Pax carriers are affected, IMHO, as adversely as many who will upgrade or get hired late. Since political issues like this are handled with compromise, this is not an entirely unreasonable outcome.

Yes, Yes, I know many more have been hosed by this than it helped. But Congress has a mandate not to support any form of age discrimination. You can't get around that simple fact. Just look at the unanimous votes.

Note--I am not for this change, just trying to look at it from a perspective devoid of the heat that most of us choose to feel about this issue.

EGGMAN

I personally don't think we'll ever see a person move from the back to the front. One reason is the standing bid opening issue, second would be productivity, third training classES one to bring him to the front and then another when he returns to the back also the training of another pilot to fill his slot in the back, forth its just easier to pay protect them.

$.25 worth more then $.02

fly2ski

You see any of the ropes on the bus? I doubt many could make it through training As for the guys still in the seat with AQP most won't have any trouble sticking around.

RAC396

If this is true why did JL just start training as a 727 SO? And how did he keep his senority # for so long?

GEOFFREY

If you had chosen management, you would be going back to the left seat, like I am very soon