Originally Posted by Biggs

Here's why

1. Last week our CEO came out and said they are looking into capacity cuts
2. It's just now that they have figured out the global economy is cooling, even though the boys on wal street said it would occur (last month I had two trips cx due to lack of load)
3. MD11's are taking more domestic flying and thus less 8's or 75's need. IE you can put one Md on a route that used to be two 8's or 2 75's. IE less crews needed, plus domestic crew ratio is less than international
4. almost 100 over 60 guys came back, they weren't expecting that and they are staying, they weren't planning on that
5. Manpower planning has stated to me (Nov 07) and others that we are about 100 fat. Thats before all the above crap took full effect or will
6. Now the union has said we are 200 short, soo who do you believe

Now look at the above first 5 points and image what will happen if DHL does not happen? Well I will say it since everyone at UPS (pilots and union) have thier heads in the sand. They will furlough. Put 100 guys on the street and you save about 10 mil a year on salaries alone plus beniftis etc. 100 X 100000 = 10 million. (This will help the Air Division make its numbers for the bean counters since every department has been given a goal for the remainder of this year and next). Now people will tell you if would cause to many training events. Well I say you could take out the bottom 48 guys on the panal (the most junior guys) the bottom 35 on the Md in ANC and bottom 47 on the 400 in ANC (next group of most junior guys). Well some people will tell you who would fly the md's and 400's in ANC. Well the MD's are moving to SDF and going domestic thus less crews needed. The 400's are fat, but we are getting 5 more, so we might be right manned since the over 60 guys seem to be staying and showing up for work (sick calls in ANC 400 are very low, strait form supervisor schduler) So its possible with alittle reduction in capacity and revamping the system you could get rid of 100 very easy. I'm not the doom and gloom guy, but everyone at this company thinks it cant happen. Well this recession is different from the 2002, eary 90's, and late 70's versions we have seen. To add a little more fuel to the fire, remember UPS is in the process of reducing crew ratios per plane and who knows when that will go into effect. I hope you get hired but at this time with no DHL, things do not look good for hiring.

Now if DHL happens I think we will see just a little hiring. Yes we have seen talk of bringing out the DC8's from the bone yard. How many and when and how much contract flying will be done is anyone's guess. I have heard 13 and that the rest of the capacity will be put on planes already short on cargo. Where the truth is, we will see, if it happens, and it's now political so anything can happen when the US Gov gets involved.

Originally Posted by Brown

Two MD-11 flights cancelled for lack of crews last week.

Originally Posted by speedy gonzalez

Biggs, please accept my apologies. After reading your posts I have no doubt you are well intentioned, I was way out of line. Frustrations have been kicking in lately. I too am one of those 1,000's very concerned with what is going on...

Originally Posted by Biggs

...Also last week DHL of CEO stated in the WSJ that if business kept decreasing it would be cheaper to pull out altogher. Implied not even UPS deal. trying to find it to post