B757 Program
 

I would like to talk about the B757 program. It is an exceptional program. The pilot that goes through the program will be pleased with it.

The flex/LCA group that was selected for the program was done in two phases. The first phase of selectees designed the program. The second phase of selectees went through the program as students with the 1st phase of flex/LCAs instructing. The FAA watched this entire process and signed off the program.

The intent of the two groups of flex/LCAs was to design a program, go through the entire program with the FAA overseeing the process. This group of individuals were told that they would be doing this job for two years. The most important function in this process was to train and have oversight of our replacements during this two year time frame. We would then go to another aircraft (that we could hold) or return to our previous aircraft. This was a busy process with little time for anything else.

This group of instructors understood there was a problem with the CBA concerning the introduction of a narrow body aircraft to our company. We were told this was being worked on by the company and the union leadership. Yes, this was an adult to adult agreement. With the abililty to monday night quarterback today, we should have had the issue resolved before starting this process i.e approached the union leadership - our representatives in this process.

Upon return to memphis, it was discovered that this process was not being worked on. In fact, I talked with a union rep at AOC to see how it was going and he said it was not being worked on. He stated that they had known about it for weeks and had a solution to it. This was a suprise. The union leadership was approached for gudiance.

At no time were special pay packages being worked on by any instructor. We thought our situation was being dealt with.

Lessons learned:

1. CBA is the defining document - if it is not covered then get it in writing from a process by the union and the company - CBA didn't cover situation like this
2. B777 -FDX ALPA standards and training should be working with the company during a conversion - using ALPA's expertise with safety, training and standardization
3. Flex/LCA block rep should be involved
4. Union leadership should get involved with 2 and 3 above

Lastly, there have been numerous misstatements about what occurred during the initial onset of the B757 to our company. Some of them are not true. The company and union leadership could have approached this from a far different perspective. As a flex/LCA group we were at fault for not having the flex/LCA issue relsolved from day one. With the aforementioned said, the only loser in this sad but true process is SAFETY!

Very good post. Personally, I hope that the company and union get their collective houses in order and send us an LOA which will promote Safety as well as highly experienced, and well compensated instructors to implement this conversion. It is sad that both the company and the union did not solve this problem at the onset.

Do they issue Depends in groundschool for all the age 60 guys?

The real magic act will be when they reopen the 757 bid to allow the lca/flex guys to bid it, they will have to outbid the over 60 guys. Should be interesting.

I suspect that most of us can guess who FDXBUCK (757 program) might be? I admire your sticking your nose in this hornets nest while almost using your real name.

I like that you NOW recognize that the union should have been involved from the start and that we need to get this stuff in writing BEFORE we "take managements word" in the future (or the past for that matter). Your posting is well thought out and well presented. So ... what now?

Although I agree that it "could" be a safety issue, I've seen little at FedEx that's driven by safety (I've received safety training from the military, ALPA and the NTSB!).

You're obviously much closer to this problem than I am ... I don't see an easy solution for this problem. Lots of good lessons learned here. It's in all of our interests to find a GOOD solution ...

Happy New Year to all you APC folks.

Now back to football ...

Mark

Thanks for sharing your post with us.

Have a healthy and happy New Year.

Gutsiest move I've ever seen Mav.

Amazing what can be see from below now huh?

John Grones needs to be on every flex guys speed dial. While I didn't like some of the comments he made on the ALPA site about the LOA, I think he will help you guys look for a solution. He is your rep and he works for you. I'm sure with all the chaos of the last few months he is ready to listen and work with you guys and take your ideas up the chain.

Some of my favorite captains got caught up in this fiasco. I hope this can be worked out and we can get the right guys into the job.

I got a call from a guy who didn't appreciate the tone of the Message Line implying that the flex guys were independent contractors, and your post indicates you feel the same way. I don't think there was a conspiracy on either side of this issue--just some comm breakdowns.

Nice move coming out and stirring the pot. Good luck to you too.

From my point of view, individual Flex/LCA's were approached to participate in the program and agreed to step up to the plate and help the company (after all, we are the company). They wanted assurances and pay protection, and were told that it was being worked. It may or may not have been.

What I don't get is why are we giving FDX ALPA a pass on this one? 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? Was it really the job of the individual flexes to say no when they were asked to get this program started? DW's e-mail made it sound like these guys were all free agents trying to stick it to the rest of us, when in reality they were stepping up to the plate to get this program started from the ground up and trusting that mgt and the union were actually doing their jobs, imagine that.

John has alway's been a stand up guy for his flock. Very knowledgeable and stands up to either side when they are on the wrong side of an issue.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

excellent post...

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.

757 Implementation Checklist
 

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?

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.

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.

Pretty darn funny :D

In a short sentence what happened with the 757 instructor program. I heard bits and pieces but whats the kwik and dirty full story?

So the moral of the story is ........... Always, always, read the fine print. Even when buy a new car............:o