Clrd2Lnd

I understand they say it doesn't make sense economically to furlough unless the peeps are on the street for 2 years...but doesn't mitigating expense help prevent furlough...so yes pertaining to the current greivance...

Gunter

It's possible that the "O" didn't mean we would need to hire without VLT or DFT.

I think he meant to say VLT and DFT = 200 more pilots.

So, according to the company, instead of being 500-700 overmanned the number would be 300-500 overmanned without the use of VLT/DFT.

DLax85

Company's are always looking to cut costs --- but, the agreed upon contract doesn't say "we can invoke 4A2B to cut costs".

If that was true, why not just reduce the BLGs during months were volumes are historically low and raise them back above BLG when it suits them to do so.

The negotiated/agreed upon contract states a Min BLG --- that's the min BLG --- it doesn't give them unilateral power to change it for other reasons than preventing or delaying a furlough.

Gunter

So factor in 50-100 retirements in 2010, the company spinning the numbers a bit in their favor, steady economic improvement and you have FDX 50-300 "overmanned" fleet wide by the end of next year. Fleet wide, not just in the lowest paid seat.

They could run another excess and start putting folks onto the street in the spring. But this would be odd because one or more vacancy bids would likely get posted before they get halfway thru the furloughing. Never say never, but this would make them look dumber than anything else they have done the last couple of years.

Daniel Larusso

You make an important distinction there Gunter imo. When most people sit there and hypothesize about potential furloughs (that the company hasn't mentioned since last summer or earlier btw) they act like the company would furlough a bunch of people on one day. That doesn't make sense from the standpoint of where the bottom pilots are, nor does it makes sense from a company that has historically tiptoed into nearly every big decision it makes. The same guys who analyze a potential bid more than the Zapruder film aren't likely to jump head first into furloughing big numbers, rather I think they would announce an extended schedule that would be subject to change.

DiamondZ

Sorry...wasnt clear about the 150-200.

The VLT/DRT flying wouldnt require new pilots. 150-200 is how many pilots it would take to cover those hours...therefore 350-500 overmanned.

Oh yeah, and when asked how do we see an exit from 4a2b, he jokingly stated that he'd like to see UPS go bankrupt and we can get all their flying and hire a whole bunch of people...

Interestingly enough, the info he was relying was strikingly similar to the recent memo posted by PC on the front page of pfc.

ANCFRTDG

Hey guys it's all smoke and mirors to justify sticking 4a2b up our tail pipes to pay for their gross mismanagement. We have paid for all the pilot relocations and training to place people where they were supposed to be pior to the "Hey I have a great idea let's hire a bunch of guys that are distressed fron other airlines and place them out of seniority into the right seats of the MD in ANC and AB in SFS/HKG instead of dealing with the real issues that made those seats go unfilled through numerous bids." Now add the over 60 issue and the recession and you have a toxic cocktail that has been very hard to most of us to swalow. What is amazing is that after all this and 2 failed attempts to open a Paris domicile no one has been fired or even asked to return to the line?There is absolutely no financial incentive for the Corportion to end 4a2b as long as the golden box arrives on time. We have got to start to get a grip on how to "deal " with this situation before contract openers next year!

iarapilot

Bingo, bingo, and bingo!!!!!

FlyByNite

An "O" hub turn meeting is just sex, lies and videotape.....without the sex and videotape. Anyone besides me notice no management types gripping and grinning at the MEM Christmas feast. I was hoping to wish them a happy 4.a.2.b...please spend my money well. BTW, I'm home through the end of the year, and since we are "over staffed", I will enjoy my time off this week. The VP of Flight Ops and the System Chief Pilot just send out emails saying we are so over staffed that they aren't relying on overtime flying.

Paddles

There is sex alright, It's just the "two fingers, no grease and you don't even get a reach around" kinda sex..........