FDX Trick or Treat: Embracing 4a2b?
10-30-2009, 04:36 PM
#1
Down, 3 Green
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: MEM A300
Posts: 103
FDX Trick or Treat: Embracing 4a2b?
After watching the kids come home from their school Halloween parties, I started to think about what I should "be" for Trick or Treating tomorrow night. Then it hit me: how about dressing up as an overmanned pilot at FedEx? Seriously. The company has been telling me I am in surplus, so what if I go along with their "make believe" and start acting like one?
Not just for tomorrow night. What if I "get into character" for oh, let's say, the next two months. How will I "act" this out? I'll fly only the trips I am awarded on my reduced BLG line, stand only the days on my reduced RLG line, and politely decline any additional work days since they can certainly get through peak "with or without me."
Before you say, "But we can't do any organized effort to limit our flying..." STOP AND THINK FOR A SECOND. It isn't me or ALPA that is saying do this or don't do this. No. On the contrary, it is the company itself saying, "We are so overstaffed, we have invoked 4a2b, and this reduced amount of credit hours is ALL WE NEED FROM YOU to operate this airline through the foreseeable future." Now here's me saying, "Prove it. Run the show for the remainder of 2009 with your 4a2b tricks and treats. Just don't expect the extra mile from this overmanned pilot."
Perhaps November does start with "NO."
4a2b, or not to be. It's up to us.
Not just for tomorrow night. What if I "get into character" for oh, let's say, the next two months. How will I "act" this out? I'll fly only the trips I am awarded on my reduced BLG line, stand only the days on my reduced RLG line, and politely decline any additional work days since they can certainly get through peak "with or without me."
Before you say, "But we can't do any organized effort to limit our flying..." STOP AND THINK FOR A SECOND. It isn't me or ALPA that is saying do this or don't do this. No. On the contrary, it is the company itself saying, "We are so overstaffed, we have invoked 4a2b, and this reduced amount of credit hours is ALL WE NEED FROM YOU to operate this airline through the foreseeable future." Now here's me saying, "Prove it. Run the show for the remainder of 2009 with your 4a2b tricks and treats. Just don't expect the extra mile from this overmanned pilot."
Perhaps November does start with "NO."
4a2b, or not to be. It's up to us.
10-31-2009, 05:02 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
It aint me but:
And to some it is busting their arse on reserve for a 50% pay cut at 50, with no chance of an upgrade for the foreseeable future. Gloating like that could be considered flamebait. But I am sure we are all glad the timing worked for you.
10-31-2009, 05:32 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 29
I would never advocate anything negative to happen here at FedEx but if there is no monetary motivation for management(and I don't mean ACP's and RCP's) to exit 4A2b they will never do it. Imagine, if you will, that we have been able to move all the freight thru peak with us on reduced wages. January and February are historically the slowest months of the year. You don't think they will drag this out until negotiations start next summer? I for one am going to fly my line and nothing more until we are no longer over manned......
10-31-2009, 05:59 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
While I agree with the sentiment, a just as easy interpretation is sit back and shut up, it aint so bad. It is all perspective. It is very easy for a "boycaptain" to make up lost wages. Not so easy for others. As far as my make believe friend, I know at least one S/O who would like to know you don't think he is real.
10-31-2009, 07:11 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD11 Captain
Posts: 364
Originally Posted by golfandfly
FDXLAG,
It's tough out there for a lot of folks. We are not indentured at Fedex, if better opportunities are out there, I suggest your friend go out and find them.
It's tough out there for a lot of folks. We are not indentured at Fedex, if better opportunities are out there, I suggest your friend go out and find them.
IMHO.
hoya
10-31-2009, 07:50 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,224
hoya,
First of all, I am not senior nor did I get hired at Fedex at 30. I feel the effects of 4.a.2.b. as well. However, I do get tired of the "entitled" attitude. We don't build the lines anymore (another subject), and if someone's seniority allows them to maximize their pay, then it is their right. I don't have to like it. I haven't exceeded BLG/RLG in 2009 by choice. There is limited open trips, but if you hawk open time enough, you can get extra trips. If a guy wants to get back to his old BLG by picking up a 6 hour trip, is there anything wrong with it? I will say if people got tough for just one month, that 4.a.2.b. will be gone. It is unlikely, because we do have guys that continually pick up trips and make 120 hours+ a month. I don't have to like that either.
If Boycaptain made Captain at an early age is able to live off of a reduced BLG, so what? He made better career choices than we did. I am entitled to what my seniority can hold. If I am 50 and a S/O living on reduced BLG, I can either deal with it or quit. I agree quitting is probably a poor option. Things will get better and progression will happen, it will just take longer than either of us like.
Is anyone else tired of the "entitled" attitude in this country? I am entitled to health care, housing, a new car, etc?
First of all, I am not senior nor did I get hired at Fedex at 30. I feel the effects of 4.a.2.b. as well. However, I do get tired of the "entitled" attitude. We don't build the lines anymore (another subject), and if someone's seniority allows them to maximize their pay, then it is their right. I don't have to like it. I haven't exceeded BLG/RLG in 2009 by choice. There is limited open trips, but if you hawk open time enough, you can get extra trips. If a guy wants to get back to his old BLG by picking up a 6 hour trip, is there anything wrong with it? I will say if people got tough for just one month, that 4.a.2.b. will be gone. It is unlikely, because we do have guys that continually pick up trips and make 120 hours+ a month. I don't have to like that either.
If Boycaptain made Captain at an early age is able to live off of a reduced BLG, so what? He made better career choices than we did. I am entitled to what my seniority can hold. If I am 50 and a S/O living on reduced BLG, I can either deal with it or quit. I agree quitting is probably a poor option. Things will get better and progression will happen, it will just take longer than either of us like.
Is anyone else tired of the "entitled" attitude in this country? I am entitled to health care, housing, a new car, etc?
