I need some help from the UPS folks. I'm in the pool and need to fax in an update of my hours and quals. I have the fax number from my pool letter but it's been so long now since I dove in, I'm not sure who it should be addressed to. I hear Buzz has retired and PD has moved to a new area. Any suggestions on whose name I should put on the letter?

Thanks,

 

Try Sharnika Chandler. According to the Air Inc. website, she attended the last job fair.

 

I think Sharnika has moved on too.

I envision this room at UPS with just a fax machine and a table and this big mess of papers on the floor where poolies are faxing in their updates. Mine included.

 

Nope, Sharnika is still in charge, at least as of just a few days ago...

You can never go wrong with:

To Whom It May Concern:

or

Dear Recruiter, etc.

At a previous regional I used to help out with recruiting issues and no one paid any attention to who the letters were addressed to. We knew they were meant for the HR/Recruiting department. I’d imagine the same would apply to most recruiters out there…

 

I feel the same way. I'm sure people walk by the room and have a nice chuckle when they see the mess of updates laying on the floor.

 

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.

 

Hate to tell you that we are not in a recession. Look up the definition, then look at the numbers and you will find the answer. Not to say that we are in a slowdown, but nothing supports calling this a recession.

I have not flown with anyone that thinks we cannot or will not be affected by the slowing global economy. Some more senior pilots here may think they will alway have a job, but the combo of age 65, retiring fleets, and slowing economy, have affected almost everyone here.

I know there have been internet rumors of cancelling the 76 order, but I have not heard that one from any of the van drivers. So even without the DHL deal, you would probably see the 8 go with the 76 replacing them all. From what I have gathered, UPS is going to remain about the same size for the time being. It is a huge shift from the rapid expansion that we have seen for the past few years. I would not expect to see 4000 on the list anytime soon.

 

Actually since they moved out from the training department building very few people 'bother' them anymore...

 

Biggs,

Lots of good points. I don't disagree much at all.

But since some of this is speculation and rumor ... I do know that the talk of the training center was that 2 flights were cancelled for no crew on the 400 recently ... FWIW.

Could be they have enough crews, just not where they were needed ? I really don't know. Although I wish I did because as a recent ANC displacee arrival, I'd like to know what's going on for the next 6 months, 12 months 18 months ...

Know what I mean ...

the Brown CC

 

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