You're right...hired to fill seats nobody else wanted and took the whole "hook, line, and sinker." Now, it looks like I'll have to do the reverse commute to MEM...kind of interesting times :confused:

Yep.....interesting indeed. 24 mos ago if you weren't upwardly mobile and bidding Capt at your 1st opportunity you were "part of the problem", now as a very junior Capt I'm going to be down-bid excessed cause I'm in the ND's way. I know of at least one ND (HC) who was spouting to all who would listen that the only reason he was going to the panel was to retire under the new contract regardless of any law change......now he's checking out at Capt back in ANC........thanks HC and the rest of you ND's.....looks like you really did get yours and some of ours.:mad: Sleep well knowing you have disrupted at least 150 families lives.

Allow me to quote two airline pilots:

JL:

"Let's talk about RFOs first. RFOs are a vital part of our operation. If you can only hold RFO, so be it. Look the part, do it right, be prepared. However, if you're senior and you make your living being an RFO, then you're a problem."

"One last thought, if you could hold Memphis wide-body Captain for more than two years, haven't bid a Captain seat, and don't want to, you're part of the problem.. hang up your stripes. It's not a part-time jobwe can't use part-time help. "

Other:

"Stay senior on junior equipment"


One of these guys actually knew what he/she was talking about. I'll give you one guess and one hint; his/her initials ain't JL.

I'm in total agreement with the sentiment of your post. However, I think you grossly underestimate the number of those that will be/are significantly negatively affected. Good luck holding on to your current seat.

Might be worth moving and taking the move package unless you are in your dream house. Company will pay realtor fee and if it doesn't sell will pay you average of 3 appraisers value. I'm not a legal eagle--and you probably need to talk to the union--but it might be worth turning that AK house into cash. Rent a dump in MEM for 2 years and see where this goes. Hell...buy a boat on the Gulf Coast and commute to MEM or a put a houseboat on the Mississippi or over at Pickwick Lake. Good time in this market NOT to be saddled with a mortgage.

I think if EVERY guy displaced from ANC decided to use the full benefits under the contract allowed to them it might give someone pause before pulling the trigger... Moving and displacing bodies is a cost/benefit analysis. How much does it save moving a body to Memphis, training him, and buying his house?

Another option (gulp) is keep the WB body pay by going to HKG for a short spell. FX 3 goes ICN and HKG couple times a week...Polar and Atlas go through ANC too. If I was ever going to consider commuting to HKG ANC would be a good jump off point.

Stupid Question
 

We always seem to talk about the "training costs" as though they are some outrageous dollar value. Does anybody know what it costs the company for an IUT? If the guy is getting paid anyway and not moving freight, isn't that just like a guy sitting Reserve not moving freight? I don't know, I just don't think decisions are being made based on training costs....but then again, what do I know.

Looking at it not from the cost side of it, what about the capabilities of the training department. Can the pipeline be opened up to handle the additional student load over and above the ND'd. Now we've also got the FedExcessed students in addition to that. How long will that take?

Another month and our "leadership" takes home 30 HOURS (plus the rest of the perks) more than I take (68 hours) home moving the freight. Our MEC must think this difference is acceptable. It's time EVERYONE, including our MEC officers share the pain. It's time for the MEC compensation package to be reviewed and brought into line with the crewforce. It's outrageous!!!

I don't like it much either but we both have the opportunity to run for union office if we desire? As Albie would say, "Come on in, the water's fine." :eek::eek::eek: