EGGMAN

All I can say is this is exactly why we need STRONG union leadership. The company does NOT care one bit about us as pilots and would love to displace people to foreign domicials, cut our pay, make us work more and cause us any displeasure posible.

If you think FedEx is any different than United or Usairways...then talk to those furloughed guys on your J/S. I've learned a lot from this industry, especially the furloughed and merger part of the industry. I don't trust anyone and especially the guy that says "we've never furgloughed and would never because of the company image" or "the tiger guys got a stable company to work for and arre all captains" or Fred wouldn't do that to his own company"

I've seen a lot here, and been around here for many of years, I can only again say that no ones protected in this company or industry.

Maybe I'm bitter, maybe I was the one in the old ops chanting "let 'em shut it down", maybe I miss the old trailer trying to get some zzz's....but I caution anyone who thinks the mighty fed will take care of them, to watch your six.



go ahead and correct my spelling / grammer mistakes....I couldn't care less. And it only makes me hear more stories about "jerk" captains...no offense to whoever has corrected it in prior posts...(hehe)

jagplt

Are they getting a pass? DW is certainly getting a lot of (needed) attention here lately. My block rep's getting an ear full for recent problems as well.

time for the rest of the bloggers to turn up the heat on em.

RedeyeAV8r

Mark I don't disagree but as I see it, the ball is 100% squarely in the company's court.

The Union has nothing to give up that I can think of and my guess is the MEC Leadership will want quid pro quo for contract relief (at least I certainly hope so). But don't we now have an FCIF by the VP of flying hinting at asking the Union for concessions?

If MGT can't fill all the FDA seats with the current LOA and normal BLG pay, Does anyone think MGT really thinks that they will have better luck filling the remaining slots with a 8-20 hour cut in monthly Credit?

In order for the any 757 LCA/Flex instructors to get widebody pay, wouldn't that require a new bid posting and a new LOA since the previous company selected LCA's /Flexes would need to Bid the 757, downbid to it in most cases? (Unless MGT intends to make the newly awarded 757 CAPT's the new LCA's and Flexs)

If this is the case, wouldn't that require an LOA to allow Pilot who just BID (downbid) to a narrow body to still be entitled to WB pay? I am sure that potential LOA would get a lot of positive votes from this crowd, especially if that was all the company offered. (no FDA extra enhancements, lower monthly BLG's with only a select few now allowed to get Widebody Capt pay?)

But the snag is that any new bid would have to allow the OVER 60 S/O's to bid the 757 if they wanted. Could the few company selected Flex and LCAs even hold the 757 if Senior over 60 S/O's wanted to be Capts and FOs?

Does the company even really want to go there? This will be interesting to watch.

LivingInMEM

From the masses - I think they are mostly getting a pass. It's the same sheep mentality as the LOA, etc - most are pretty disinterested among the pilot corps.

We need a very proactive union right now, and all we are getting is silence. DW was pushing retro for the over-60 guys at the same time that the company was considering reduced BLG/furlough (***?). We were facing a diminshing economy, 3-man to 2-man cockpit conversions, phase-outs of the DC-10 and 727, FDA's, etc - and DW felt comfortable in pushing Age-60 and retro against the majority's wishes with hardly a blip from the masses (except for those on this board). In this very critical period, the union is not giving the impression that it is working very hard to protect the interests of the pilot group as a whole - but, it did fight hard for a few.

iarapilot

They knew that this was being done and were not proactive about approaching the company to get this resolved. If the compnay offers a 10k deposit assistance to the FDA pilots, they'll intervene - so why not when the company is working outside of the CBA to start a training dept?


The Union also knew the LOA was coming and it certainly seems they werent proactive on that one. And, the way I see it, the Union only intervened on the 10K when the SFS guys passed a resolution basically saying the Union shouldnt allow the direct dealing BS, a pilot filed a grievance on that same issue, and another pilot wrote DW about that issue. Reactive , not proactive, on a few issues that will affect us all. Not very good leadership to me.

jagplt

excellent post...

Albief15

While I think its hor$e**** that you have to travel to Memphis to get involved, currently that's the gig.

There is a meeting 14-17 Jan in Mem. I really, really, really wish you guys would show up and make your voices heard. While I agree with some here, disagree with others, the bottom line is it is YOUR union and you need to make some noise and get involved.

I tried sitting back for 5 years and I didn't like the way it worked out. I'm trying a different approach now. I encourage all of you to do the same.

Dadof6

Fred (Chairman of Board & CEO): OK folks, let's add 757s to FDX as replacements for retiring 727s.

Management Guy #1 in charge of 757 transition: Cool, boss. I'll run the 757 Implementation Checklist.

1. Find 757s to acquire. Start acquiring and converting. Check.
2. Make sure AGE/ULDs works with 757. Check.
3. Recruit new LCA/flex cadre. Make whatever verbal promises required, but DO NOT PUT IT IN WRITING. Check.
4. String along union and cadre telling both parties you're working out pay rates and other work rules while cadre are training. Check.
5. Distract all parties by offering atrocious LOA that is the Best and Final Offer Available. Check.
6. Throw mongo-big party when LOA unexpectedly passes by 68%. Check.
7. Do NOT discuss "work arounds" to the CBA with union. Assure cadre the check is in the mail. Check.
8. Open bid for FDAs HKG and CDG. Sweeten the pot while bid is still open based on prelim practice bids. Check.
9. Express amazement when cadre do not bid the 757. Check.
10. What now, boss?

EGGMAN

Albie,

Your 100% correct and I'll be the first to admit that I won't be there. I wish I could/would, but just won't. I hope if someones on the fence about it, then they'll go because of my honesty.

...fire away....


honesty is a lonely game.
you better run for your life if you can, little girl
hide your head in the sand little girl

-author is not the eggman, but the great man.

MajorKong

Great Post! When are DeeDub and the stooges going to realize that we are in the drivers seat. Let's see, Pi$$ off 150+ over 60 pilots, or bend the company over on the LOA and the 757 training and make 4800+ happy. I think I already know the answer.