FDXLAG

That is certainly one way of looking at it. Another way would to make sure everyone has the same opportunity to have the same age 60 retirement income pre and post age 65 rule change. Both could be considered fair. Perspective, I think photographers call it.

Again I am not arguing for any proposals just object when people say my QOL has not changed. My current QOL is the same but my expected QOL is not.

Busboy

I just got this crew notification:

"The February bidpacks will be available by 1200 CST on January 10, 2008."

They were out 3 hours ago?

Busboy

Nevermind. I thought the CST, after 1200, stood for Central Standard Time.

They must have meant the airport code: CST (Castaway, Fiji)

So, I guess that means they'll be out tomorrow, our time?

subicpilot

I thought we were discussing the "targeted pay raise" issue...my bad...

Anywho...

You have a valid point about the retro language. FDX ALPA, specifically DW will go down in history for this...good and bad. I agree that more are hurt by this than helped.

We knew when we voted ALPA onto the property that it was going to come with some baggage. Part of that baggage is that ALPA national's views and it's responsibility to the passenger carriers is often in conflict with the FedEx pilots best interests. Our MEC could have fought this, but we would have been in the vast minority and would have made little difference in the final outcome, IMHO. I think it was an unpleasant, although realistic approach to realize that this thing was going to happen and we might as well get on board with it, get it, and get over it, as soon as possible.

My personal opinion, for whatever it's worth, is yes, I do think it was the right thing to do. After all, the whole objective of working for a career is to be able to retire and enjoy your later years. To have your retirement yanked out from under your feet right before you are ready to start using it just scares the crap out of me! As of yet, we at FedEx have not been forced to work those extra 5 years, and we may never have to (keep your fingers crossed).

a300fr8dog

"Will" be reduced? How do you say that with such certainty? Are you Carnac the Magnificent? Look, I understand your frustration with our uncertain future. Just like the sky isn't falling with the BLG reduction issue, it's not falling on our retirements, either. Not yet, anyway. One thing I think is important to understand about our retirement age of 60: it's ours to lose. The company may ask for a change, but WE will be the ones who have to agree to it. Changing this part of our CBA in 2010 is a deal breaker, and that fact should be broadcast loud and clear PRIOR to openers. In the meantime, let's not count our eggs before the chickens hatch.

FDXLAG

Just about everyone at FEDEX who is not currently a Wide Body Capt and plans to be a WB Capt has had his pre age 60 earnings reduced. I am not Carnac (altough the bidpack late call was spooky) but I am confident I will not have the same pre age 60 years as a WB Capt that was probable 6 months ago. High five will be lower. No argument on the retirement changes.

a300fr8dog

Sorry then. My bad, I misunderstood your position. While we can sit here and haggle over what we think the company is doing, my take is this:

It's my opinion that PC's letter was a late halloween gesture. I think it's nothing more than: BOO, in a scary tone, said to effect action from the most junior folks to bid the FDA's.

Secondly, when they are trying to "manage" a manning bubble, the most logical solution, without incurring MANY training cycles, is to make an early out proposal. If we see this, it won't be until after the bid closes, just in case someone is crazy enough to do the FDA thing @ 60+

In the meantime, I know there are some ALPA Reps who are discussing each of the "BLG reduction alternitives" that have been batted around on APC.

MaydayMark

I'm glad to hear this, I would have been hugely disappointed if that was not the case. I would have felt better though if they had communicated some of those ideas BEFORE we discussed them here. Isn't that what we "pay" them for?

AerisArmis

MM...the ideas have to come from somewhere. Might as well be here. Refreshing that someone would consider an idea that didn't originate in their own head. The question is, will the the man behind the curtain, the "Great and Powerful DW" listen? History is not on our side.

Busboy

Don't be so full of yourself.

The MEC may be discussing the things that are being batted around here...But, that doesn't mean this is where they got those ideas.

This isn't rocket surgery, guys.

What, do you think they're a bunch of idiots?