FreightDawgyDog

"It would be like getting mad at my neighbors because they won the Irish Sweepstakes. As Mr. Spock used to say: "that would be illogical."

Who is this FH you speak of? I didn't mention any names JJ Curious though, would you be mad if the sweepstakes they won were rigged?

Take care JJ. I am bowing out of these shenanigans as I am weary of all that has gone on with no care to the junior pilots whatsoever from either the union or the company. One day those in charge of these changes will be in the minority. The Killer B's at AA has their day after living under the B-scale while those senior to them made double the pay and I think we will see a version of that group here as well. I hope Albie and Vic are a good start to a new day in the union. I really wish I were in a position to run but due to issues with one of my children I cannot. If and when those issues are resolved I will be first in line if I see the same kind of representation we have had this past year.

All I can say is If you make it back to the line after going through all you spoke of earlier, especially risking your life, I will have to say you deserved it. As far as winners of the Irish sweepstakes all I can say is winning the lottery isn't always as great as many think it will be. I am sure that will be the case with some lottery winners of Age 65 as well.

See you all on the line..

Toccata

JJ - just curious, and am guessing you are on top of this right now - any lessor requirement for a second class? Will the docs at Oklahoma City issue a second when they would not a first, looking at the same data?

I remember flying with one guy (around 15 years ago) after bypass surgery who was only maintaining his Second Class. Can't tell you if it was his choice, or medical, but he did say at the time that he did not have to jump through the hoops that he would have for a first class.

Nitefrater

And as I've said before... You DO understand that flying and working are not the same thing, don't you? Working is what I do when Fred pays me... Flying is what I do when I'm going where and when I want, canopy open, often at and below 500 agl, with a huge grin on my face. There are LOTS of ways to love and enjoy flying without having to put up with work. Especially when "it's not about the money." Get a Cub... find some deserving kids to mentor... Give something back. At least that's my plan.

Jetjok

Toccata, sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but I just returned home from my first post-event racquetball tournament. Anyway, Yes is the answer to your question about regaining a 2nd class certificate. It's too late at night (12:30 A.M.) and I'm too tired to transcribe all the requirements for you, so if you'll send me a PM with your email address, I'll gladly send you copies of the required tests/documentation, etc.

Nitefrater, Thanks for sharing with me YOUR view of what work vs flying really is. However, I've always used this job to allow me to travel to places far and wide, in order to see friends, and enjoy their company, and yes, in a lot of cases, their racquetball skills on the court. Besides, when you get senior in a seat, you usually get to go where you want. Only wish that would happen for me, but I seem to make due. Truth be told, I don't enjoy your type of flying anymore, but I'm certainly glad that you enjoy it. I wonder what ever happened to that old saying "If I wanted a real job, I would have never become a pilot to begin with?"

rjlavender

It is surprising how few pilots at FedEx seem to be aware of what is going on in the world about them and are reluctant to respect the years of experience that others have with our "system."

No, the problem will not go away when second officers go away. The problems at USAir are destroying ALPA internally, yet USAir has no second officers. The same problems exist at some level within every pilot group at every carrier. And the internal animosity that exists at USAir directly affects the FedEx pilots. Many, if not most, USAir pilots have no loyalty to ALPA (other than what Agency Shop buys) and would cross a FedEx picket line in a heartbeat to get a better deal. This reduces our leverage at the bargaining table considerably.

The underlying problems within our profession are unrelated to whether we have second officers. They are directly related to how fairly we treat each other across a seniority list filled with similarly-skilled pilots. And, in accordance with worn-out tradition, we do not treat each other fairly.

Bob

rjlavender

It is critical for pilots to understand that JJ's comments represent the traditional "pilot view" of the world. They do not represent the "executive view." For the company, it is, indeed, a question of "equal skills," and they do not really care where those skills come from.

Junior pilots with equal skills represent viable alternatives (replacements) to their senior counterparts. Please consider, again, that 450 former ALPA brethren from Braniff crossed our picket line at CAL and easily flew our airplanes on behalf of Frank Lorenzo. Prior to that, they had absolutly no seniority at CAL. How could this happen? Easy, the pilots had equal skills. And, so it is with so-called junior pilots at FedEx.

Trust me, pilots with equal skills are equally valuable to the company regardless of what their current level of responsibility is. "Seniority" is a pilot invention unrelated to value. It might calm the pilot mind, but the idea that it means anything to the company is a mistake.

Bob

bifff15

That is a very interesting perspective!

MD11Fr8Dog

Sounds more like you really just "love" to play racquetball in other places than home!

That's my opinion, and its really indisputable!

Nitefrater

Ahhh... you mean that you "love flying" in the same sense that a flight attendant or businessman does. I assumed you meant it in the sense that a pilot does. My mistake. Sorry.

fdxflyer

Was reading on the internet in the crew room the other day getting a flight ready when a fellow approached a CP and let him in on FH's little secret....maybe not how I would have done it, but I had a smilie on my face!