Roberto, how many DC-8s are actively flying?

I ask this simply because UPS is taking delivery of a couple more -400s then begins delivery of the 27ish new 767s. I haven't seen news of any deferred orders so who will staff these 30 a/c yet to come? 5 years is hard to believe IMO.

It doesn't matter how many planes we get because we already have too many for the flying we have right now. If UPS has to they can just park the planes, it is cheaper then operating them empty.

Perhaps it would be better not to spread as absolute truth what someone heard at the union building. Even if an opinion was given, I’m not sure you can rely on the accuracy of such a vague statement. Unfortunately, no one knows what the economic landscape will be in the next year, much less five. And if it comes to pilots being furloughed from UPS for five years, there might be quite a few more pilots who will either join the furlough ranks or be downgraded/moved. It is not a scenario that any of our members want to see happen.

While one can readily understand the frustration of the junior members who are looking at the very real possibility of furlough, it is hoped that instead of taking bits and pieces of information they are hearing and lashing out at fellow members who don’t agree with their views; they will instead debate the merits of their ideas and ask the EB questions they need answered. It is hoped that the EB will frequently keep the membership informed as they did in days past during “moments of unpleasantness”. For those who have forgotten how events have gone in the last five years, remember - Unity is the only weapon at our disposal.

So if UPS wants to cut 54 mil from the pilots, you think they will buy new airplanes and have that much money tied up in unused assets? I can't wrap my head around that. If they defer deliveries then I'll buy it.

Nobody knows how long IPAers will be out on the street. Assume the worst, and hope for the best.

Getting mad at the union serves no useful function except to tear it and membership unity apart.

"and we as an oganization allow this to happen"

Yup, it's always the unions fault. The economy, loss of volume, jobless rate, ect ect is due to the actions of the union. I suggest that you keep practicing your lines in front of a mirror before your management interview.

Follow your own reasoning then...if UPS is about to have some of their best years in history, they certainly have no reason to toss needed pilots to the curb. But I bet they'd love to have us agree to cut our pay so their "best" years will become even better...Try again.

B2P

Twelve, after tomorrow morning, when 805 is scheduled to join 7 other DC8's at GSO. Four of those at GSO went there in early January, and should come out this month, and bring us back up to 16 in the active inventory. (There are 26 in ROW, but at least 5 of those are not recoverable.)

IMO, predictions are just guesses at this point, even for UPS. Current plans call for a 767 delivery in July and October (to replace the A300's in Europe). For the first part of next year, the "plan" is one each in Jan/Mar/Apr/Jun/Jul. I think these can be delayed up to 6 months by UPS if they desire.

If they do take those planes, unless the economy does something good, I think the DC8 is history after peak, if it makes it that long. Nobody has told me that, but it seems to be a reasonable assumption.

Someone said it before, but if the recession last another 2-3 years, there won't be 500 guys left on the seniority list. You guys need a history lesson. Worst recession since WW2 was 1981-82. If this one goes into April(which it will), then it will be the longest since the 40's. I believe things will start to get better by end of summer. If not, 300 will seem like a gift.

On a happy note, my loads all last week of domestic were very good. One trip to west coast(BFI) was heaviest load I have seen in many months. :)

That's right, UPS only exist to employ pilots. The sole function of UPS is to be an airline to insure pilots on it's seniority list have jobs. :rolleyes: