Gremlin, Buggs, SaltyDog, 1800RVR, UPSFO4LIFE, SideshowBob, 757upspilot, most of the other UPS pilots on this board, et. al,

The following quote from Buggs sums up the class that most of you have shown regarding the UPS/DHL "deal":

buggs

"Would my UPS coworkers please shut up and stop putting salt in the wound. These guys are getting screwed. We are lucky to be at UPS at this moment. It could be us, and it has been me in the past. Now, just leave it be, and stop making us look so bad."....


This type of post shows both respect and reverence for fellow pilot groups in jeopardy and is in keeping with what the IPA stands for and the highest standards of this pilot profession. The few that continue to salt the wounds stand out on this board like a sore thumb.

Until recently, none of the UPSers would respond to my assertion that, if the situations were reversed, the UPS pilots, the IPA, and KY legislators, would be doing exactly the same thing in order to survive: If they didn't they wouldn't be doing their jobs. Tell me this is not the case and that UPS, IPA, and KY would just roll over and accept the "inevitable" if the situation was reversed. I guarantee you that IPA pilots would be picketing DHL headquarters just the same... And MOST of the Astar/ABX pilots would understand and even silently cheer you on. Go ahead, Ned, J, Lil', B, R... Tell me with a straight face that I'm wrong and that you all would just lay down and die and get your resumes together like a few of you recommend the Astar/ABX pilots to do. Let's see... Orion pilots, Interstate pilots, Challenge pilots, Emery pilots.... Yeah, the Astar/ABX pilots have a great chance of getting picked up by UPS if they "play right" and die quietly. Historically, they have a better chance of being struck by lightning..

I will laugh my a55 off if the stink that these pilots are kicking up, (and that stink is being heard in D.C. ..temporarily, if nothing else), results in a delay of this deal for even one month.. After being furloughed twice and unemployed for 10 months collectively, I know the difference that even one more paycheck can make.. It can mean the difference between keeping and losing your house, car, etc. That delaying action can make a great difference in their lives.

So good luck, Astar and ABX pilots. If your daring actions halt or even delay this deal for a pay period, you guys faced Goliath and WON! You are really fighting for all of us, which many UPS pilots here realize that it could just as easily could have been them. And thank you again UPS pilots for showing respect, compassion, and comraderie for for the Astar/ABX pilots under threat of losing their careers: You represent the IPA, and all other pilots, with honor!

OK, vocal, unsympathetic, UPS minority (just a handful, really)... Fire away!

In Unity,

B727DRVR

P.S. - My apologies to any of you UPS pilots that I forgot to mention directly. The wheel of justice, do unto others, show sympathy .... YOU guys get it! And thanks to those UPS pilots who have had the class to keep their glee to themselves. Very classy and in keeping with the highest standards of this profession! "IPA 100 percent, good day" (The end of the IPA IBT strike hotline - August 1997)

B727DRVR,

Thanks for your kind words. Every group has it's, shall we say, liabilities. The IPA is a great group of people and deserve the best a career in aviation can offer. I hope all unionized pilots realize we all have to work together to stop the systematic destruction of our profession. I am referring to the entire airline industry, not just my little ugly corner of it.

Red

Since you asked, the answer is no, no I wouldn't waste my time on political or union motions that defy logic. Some of us have lost sight of the fact that unions and politicians don't create jobs.
I know all of us sympathize with those who lose jobs, and all of us feel empathy for our ABX/Astar brothers.
That doesn't mean that we will picket our own company, listen to fairey tales, or swallow fabrications presented as truth.
Unions are a great tool for collective bargaining and that is all they are despite what others may tell you.
Our fortunes rise and fall based on the health of our companies, not on Union dictates. I refuse to cede power to the Union, to politicians or to distorted arguments about who deserves a job.
Fair play and sportsmanship are fine ideals, but when you rely on a misplaced trust in the power of socialism to the detriment of others
don't be surprised when we are all dragged down together.

PS. If you seek support and sympathy it is always a good idea not to trundle through our little village pulling a dung cart loaded with agitprop behind you.

jungle,

politicians create all kinds of jobs.

question is are they productive,
and, sometimes whether they are productive or not depends on your perspective

So true....

And the bucket tipped over when the government became the largest sector employer some years back. I think it happened under Clinton, but Bush took it to new heights. TSA (Too Stupid for Arby's) is but one example of socialism on crack that is just now getting started. Any bets on what the new arm of government will be called that runs health care will be?

You can blame bush for a lot of things, but TSA isn't one of them. Had Bush had his way it would all be handled by contractors. TSA is a result of the afl-cio and uncle teddy.

The tide could turn on any of us in a second. I hate seeing people lose jobs. The thing is don't blame UPS or the IPA. Fed Ex bid for the flying as well as UPS. It was awarded to UPS. If anybody is to blame it is the executives at Airborne Express that sold the network to DHL. I really feel if that didn't happen then Airborne would still be here and this situation would never have happened.
This isn't like Fed Ex paying $880 million to buy Tigers. It is DHL looking to cut costs and awarding contracts. How is that UPS' fault?

Department of Socialized Health Care run by one of the Clintons..

Great post 727drivr! This deal might be a win-win for the DHL and UPS share holders and in the short term it might also be a win for the UPS pilots. In the long run however it's probably a loss for our profession.

You left me out...ha ha

I think I posted one of the first in regards to our brothers and sisters ABX-Astar. I wish all of you and your familes a quick and easy rebound. Good things always happen to good people.

Cheers,
heavyjet