Greetings all,

Since the 777 has generated some controversy and since I am mentioned by name in the 777 post, I felt that I should take the opportunity to talk about my decision to bid the airplane. It is the right of any FedEx pilot to ask me about this, as it is my responsibility to respond with complete honesty.

The first part of my decision goes simply to a matter of principle. We, the pilots of FedEx, voted for the current CBA. In doing so, we gladly accepted the those parts of the contract that benefited us. We also agreed to particular provisions that benefited this corporation. In doing so, we reached an accord that was acceptable to the significant majority of the FedEx pilots. The question now becomes, are we able to consider ourselves honorable individuals if we accept portions of the contract that we like and then undermine the provisions of the contract that we do not like? The company is exercising its right under 26k of the contract. This is a provision that we agreed upon when we signed the contract. I feel that the legal arguments aside, it is not honorable for me to go back on what amounts to being my word.

Secondly, I responded to the FCIF requesting resume's for standards check airmen on the 777. This opportunity was available to the entire crew force. After my interview in May, I was offered and I accepted a position as a 777 checkairman. I am therefore bound by my commitment to Kirk Williams to bid the 777.

They fact that there is not a pay rate associated with the aircraft is problematic. However, my decision is not motivated by money. I came to this career out of an unmitigated love of aviation. My decision to learn, to fly, and to teach this airplane is borne exclusively out of a desire to better myself professionally.

I am certain that there remain individuals who believe that we should not bid the aircraft at this point. However, since we are not in a situation wherein a legal work action exists, such a decision is personal one.

There it is, as simply and as honestly as I can say it.

Regards, Paul

 

Thanks for the response and honesty. It's a rare occurrence on internet.

I'm not going to get into a pi$$ing contest with you over this. I'll let some of the other message board cowboys around here do that if they want to try and argue with you (I've seen you argue with people and I'm not up for that). I'll just say that you're right, it is a personal decision. People make personal decisions everyday around here and to see your name on that list was a bit of a disappointment. As a Block Rep and as Pablo.

 

Wow! Now there are some phrases I don't recall ever reading on these posts. Or for that matter, hearing very much anymore in society in general, and unfortunately, also from many of our fellow aviators. I fear that some may even need to google them to see what they mean.

Thanks for the words Paul.

No thread drift intended, but is that you on the bike JV? If so, what is it? You do TTs or Tri's, I presume.

 

As i've been saying - if the good guys don't bid the standards/flex jobs, the bad guys will. Somebody's got to write the manuals and certify the sim. If we all said "no" on principle, the Frank Burns types would rule that program for many years. And they're trying to get on it even now.

 

Pablo-

It is with great respect for you and your career that I feel compelled to respond. You have an excellent reputation as an aviator here at FedEx, and all that have known you or worked with you have nothing but great things to say of you and your ability as an airline pilot. I have also talked with you on many occasions and have found you to be a true gentleman as well.
I will be honest with you and all on this board when I say that I was disappointed to see you on the 777 standing bid. As a union officer, bidding an airplane without a negotiated pay rate and negotiated work rules I find to be a poor example to set for our pilot group. In an hour where we need more than ever to march in lockstep, as our resolve will be tested, this will only serve to weaken us.
I know that you will be excellent in your position in training and standards, as you are known as one of the best in the seat, and one who I look up to as a model pilot. As a fellow four striper, thank you for your honesty and professionalism. As we may differ in our views, my respect for you is unchanged.

Sincerely,
Mark

 

Pablo...with all due respect, would you also condone picking up disputed pairings as doing an honourable thing for a love of aviation? In my opinion there was a choice to bid the 777. It is your right to bid the aircraft, but I would not have voted for you had I known these were your heartfelt convictions. Personally, all the best for you though.

 

Pablo....no need to respond at all to the few that even read these boards...you have too much integrity...now u owe me a coffee!

 

Frankly Pablo, you're part of the problem. No one, especially you considering you new union officer position, should have bid this plane without a settled pay scale and work rules. Addressing each of your justifications:

If principle was your issue, then NOT bidding the 777 was the correct response. UAL pilots stood on principle when they refused to bid the new 747-400 without a new pay scale. The planes sat for a few months and then eventually they got an appropriate pay scale.

You had a choice to NOT submit an application to standards too. Why didn't you choose that course of action?

We are so far beyond the whole mom and apple pie excuse of "love for flying." Now you're sounding like management, trying to coerce us to accept sub-par contract conditions with patriotism.

It appears to me that you placed your personal agenda above our collective union agenda. That you did so as a newly-elected union officer is mind-boggling. The Company has been balking at 777 pay scale negotiations and the only way to get them to negotiate in good faith is for us to take appropriate action which I believe is to withhold bidding the 777. As a union officer you should be showing leadership by leading the effort, not working against us.

 

I love you man, but I have to break your b@11s, "you are the ONE!"

 

Paul,

Thank you for your response in this matter. Like the others here, I have great respect for you. I've met you once, and have heard nothing but good things about you from my friends who know you better than I.

I do take issue with you as a union officer, bidding the 777 while the NC is actively negotiating a pay rate and work rules for the aircraft.

My and most peoples concern stem from what you say here:
You see, most people feel that the company did not negotiate the ULR flying in good faith. The company had no inkling that two weeks after the contract was signed, the A380 was going to be replaced with another airframe? A company that is known for making long-term strategic decisions in two weeks time decided that the new ULR aircraft is going to be the 777 vice the A380? After we wasted much of our negotiating capital securing A380 rates and work rules, the rug was pulled from out of us. Now we have nothing to show for all that we negotiated for. I understand all about being honorable and abiding by the contract that we agreed to... but there is nothing in the contract that compels us to bid an aircraft. And I think that most of the membership (and, in my opinion, JG) would say that having the 777 filled with 250 pilots willing to fly a ULR aircraft for A300 rates just weakens our position in front of the arbitrator.

I understand your conundrum regarding the check airman position and I wish you all the best in the future.