How do the number of DC10 crewmembers compare to the 777 bid? There are a few over 60 guys coming to the back seat of the 727. After that it looks like a wash. The 777 comes just in time to suck up the bulge created by the DC10 retirement. Almost like someone planned it that way. ;)

So the only positions significantly overmanned are both A300 seats and 727 SO after the DC10 SOs come over.

Does anyone know what flying the 777 will take? Will it be in addition to the MD11 or take some of the cream off the top? I don't think they want to come up short in the MD11. Which is why they want people to commit to the 777 before anything else changes.

So, barring a further reduction in flying, not much overmanned at all. Almost like it was in Jan '08.

I have never posted on this before, guess I am a lurker. Mayday Mark, in a level response the MEM flex guys getting taken care of.....hmm

Since I am one, let me respond fully. In a four week month I give 15 days, five week 19 days. If I flex to the line then no fly days for 3 months. Therefore if I take vacation on the line (better deal) I go NOQ unless I fly...for free when no make up is available. I have done it more than I care to admit, it is no fun. This was a result of the give back in the last contract. So much for anyone, mgt or union, taking care of the flex crowd.

My marching orders are simple, provide the best training environment to give YOU tools to operate safely. I do my best daily. The one benefit accrued is spending time with my young children at home. This is priceless and I know the sacrifice line crewmembers give with regard to that one.

Mark you are welcome if you live in Memphis or ANC (better lifestyle in domicile) to put your name in, undergo a 2 year upgrade, and reap these benefits. My name is on my post, feel free to PM me with observations. Lets not toss a brick at those who try to enhance your professional life until you think out your comments.

Respectfully
Howard Rhodes

Every thing you said is right on, but you missed a few of the things that get taken care of for the training folks in MEM. If you were a SO flex/ Desigenee,you took a $400 dollar a month pay cut. You now get to train off site at Rday values. There are several 757 instructors who are sacrificing big time just to keep that program running. Don't forget that when these internal hires come onboard they start over at zero for their vacation longivety. AS usual Mark missed the mark. Mayday!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Mr. Rhodes! :)

Once you guys have been here for a while, you'll realize that lack of knowledge, contradictory facts, nor good taste will keep Mayday down.

"Where do we get such men?" (Bridges of Toko Ri):D

Not all professionals lost their vacation longevity when they transferred to the line. Those who went to the line prior to ALPA or maybe it was the FPA contract were allowed to keep their vacation longevity for years served. However, it was taken away by MGT or given away as a bargaining chip by the Union negotiators (depends who you talk to...both blame the other) and all of the professionals in the last 10 or so years start off with no FedEx YOS credit...not sure about the corporate or box kickers who transfer over.

You don't seem to know what you're talking about, or have stated it in a very confusing manner. You make it sound as if no one hired internally gets their full longevity for vacation, and it was recently bargained away. I was in the first post contract class (Aug 99) as an internal. The people in my class started with no time for vacation. The Prof Instructors 4 numbers senior to me, hired pre-Contract and 4 months earlier, have already been on 10 yr vacation for a couple of years. If you were hired prior to the first contract from inside the company (Corporate, Prof Instructor, or even courier,) all your Fedex time counts towards vacation. After that, only time "on the line." As the first contract was the one dictated in the "parking lot disaster," you can't really say it was bargained away. However, since then, niether FPA or ALPA has made any effort to rectify the situation. When I asked why not, I was told it affected to few people to waste affort and bargaining capital on. Sound familiar to all you junior guys?

Might be true for vacation, but for retirement purposes I think their YOS, (2% per year) count.

The company is not "letting" the internals come to the line. They were hired to the line 3 years ago when they were offered employment as internals. FedEx is legally obligated to offer them line positions after their 36 month commitment. Granted since some were hired the agreement has change to "must be hiring externally" instead of "Not furloughing" in the previous iteration. They were strongly encouraged to stay in their present position and sign the "New" agreement (must be externally hiring) instead of metering to the line. If you would like to know how strongly, I encourage you to seek out an internal and ask them. Hong Kong was initially the only seat offered, however, that was changed to MEM S/O recently as the only option so that in the event of a furlough FedEx would not have to pay to move them back.

The decision to meter is complicated and different for each of them. Don't make assumptions about situations you have no specific knowledge of.