FDX TA-An opposing view
02-26-2011 | 10:13 AM
#121
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Great White North
This is not just about "Super Senior Siba lines".
If you want to be informed as possible, spend a few minutes and look at your bidpack AND the bidpacks of other aircraft.
1. I am more familiar with the MD-11 (MEM based). We have various long commuter line trips that fly intra Asia (and to a smaller degree, intra Europe). These trips are usually single departure line trips (good for our large amount of commuters). If MD-10s are based in HKG, how many of these trips will continue? While I'm not big fan of these trips, they tend to go fairly senior. Obviously some people really like them, or at least don't like to commute.
2. Airbus and 757 lines. Notice the DDH international lines? Say goodbye to them. This is the best flying in their systems if you ask me, but we know we all have different likes/dislikes. They usually go senior if that tells you something. I didn't see a direct effect on 727 lines, but as always, $hit rolls downhill. And they are at the bottom of the hill....
.
If you want to be informed as possible, spend a few minutes and look at your bidpack AND the bidpacks of other aircraft.
1. I am more familiar with the MD-11 (MEM based). We have various long commuter line trips that fly intra Asia (and to a smaller degree, intra Europe). These trips are usually single departure line trips (good for our large amount of commuters). If MD-10s are based in HKG, how many of these trips will continue? While I'm not big fan of these trips, they tend to go fairly senior. Obviously some people really like them, or at least don't like to commute.
2. Airbus and 757 lines. Notice the DDH international lines? Say goodbye to them. This is the best flying in their systems if you ask me, but we know we all have different likes/dislikes. They usually go senior if that tells you something. I didn't see a direct effect on 727 lines, but as always, $hit rolls downhill. And they are at the bottom of the hill....
.
02-26-2011 | 10:24 AM
#122
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The specific aircraft may change, but unless the company opens new bases, I believe there will still be SIBA type flying. I'd like to hear your thoughts about the way you think the system will change. I am not calling you out here and actually I'd just like to hear another's point of view. It's all speculation, but how do you see it?
02-26-2011 | 11:59 AM
#123
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From: Socket Drawer
This is not just about "Super Senior Siba lines".
If you want to be informed as possible, spend a few minutes and look at your bidpack AND the bidpacks of other aircraft.
1. I am more familiar with the MD-11 (MEM based). We have various long commuter line trips that fly intra Asia (and to a smaller degree, intra Europe). These trips are usually single departure line trips (good for our large amount of commuters). If MD-10s are based in HKG, how many of these trips will continue? While I'm not big fan of these trips, they tend to go fairly senior. Obviously some people really like them, or at least don't like to commute.
2. Airbus and 757 lines. Notice the DDH international lines? Say goodbye to them. This is the best flying in their systems if you ask me, but we know we all have different likes/dislikes. They usually go senior if that tells you something. I didn't see a direct effect on 727 lines, but as always, $hit rolls downhill. And they are at the bottom of the hill.
3. If you are telling yourself that you don't like this type of flying or that you can't hold it anyway... These senior guys that will have to change their bidding strategy might just take your Boise line. When you mess with the top of the seniority, a domino effect usually occurs. What I am saying is that losing quality lines will effect all of us, no matter what your seniority number is.
4. Operational issues. Have you ever noticed what happens when someone gets sick in the field in Asia/Europe? There are mucho revisions afterward, many of which provide us with extra pay. Xtra DH pairings are produced to cover the changes. These are usually great trips that aren't productive (unless riding First Class is productive) and are very lucrative. If we have MD crews in Asia, how many of these do you think you will see. It happens much more often than you think.
5. So, as I see it, I am giving up quite a bit. The status quo works much better for me than this TA. The time value of a 3% raise is pennies compared with the better QOL and extra earnings I've seen with our system today. For the life of me, I can't see why anyone could consider signing a contract that reduces our lines and pilots required for a cost of living raise that we will probably see later anyway.
If you want to be informed as possible, spend a few minutes and look at your bidpack AND the bidpacks of other aircraft.
1. I am more familiar with the MD-11 (MEM based). We have various long commuter line trips that fly intra Asia (and to a smaller degree, intra Europe). These trips are usually single departure line trips (good for our large amount of commuters). If MD-10s are based in HKG, how many of these trips will continue? While I'm not big fan of these trips, they tend to go fairly senior. Obviously some people really like them, or at least don't like to commute.
2. Airbus and 757 lines. Notice the DDH international lines? Say goodbye to them. This is the best flying in their systems if you ask me, but we know we all have different likes/dislikes. They usually go senior if that tells you something. I didn't see a direct effect on 727 lines, but as always, $hit rolls downhill. And they are at the bottom of the hill.
3. If you are telling yourself that you don't like this type of flying or that you can't hold it anyway... These senior guys that will have to change their bidding strategy might just take your Boise line. When you mess with the top of the seniority, a domino effect usually occurs. What I am saying is that losing quality lines will effect all of us, no matter what your seniority number is.
4. Operational issues. Have you ever noticed what happens when someone gets sick in the field in Asia/Europe? There are mucho revisions afterward, many of which provide us with extra pay. Xtra DH pairings are produced to cover the changes. These are usually great trips that aren't productive (unless riding First Class is productive) and are very lucrative. If we have MD crews in Asia, how many of these do you think you will see. It happens much more often than you think.
5. So, as I see it, I am giving up quite a bit. The status quo works much better for me than this TA. The time value of a 3% raise is pennies compared with the better QOL and extra earnings I've seen with our system today. For the life of me, I can't see why anyone could consider signing a contract that reduces our lines and pilots required for a cost of living raise that we will probably see later anyway.
02-26-2011 | 12:12 PM
#124
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From: 767 FO
While I agree with your analysis of the bid pack degradation, a point that you seem to forget is that no matter whether this is voted down or not, HKG MD11 can and will happen with the changes that the company is offering in this TA. They can change the current FDA LOA to reflect these improvements in HKG without our vote. So the only aspect of this TA that has any validity is the CGN FDA. I still vote no!
Assuming the MEC sign off on the changes after a membership no vote. Big assumption.
02-26-2011 | 12:21 PM
#125
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From: Socket Drawer
02-26-2011 | 01:04 PM
#126
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From: Great White North
I agree, the system form will change. But are 777s going to fly lean routes in Europe? Do they want to use them for short haul?
The specific aircraft may change, but unless the company opens new bases, I believe there will still be SIBA type flying. I'd like to hear your thoughts about the way you think the system will change. I am not calling you out here and actually I'd just like to hear another's point of view. It's all speculation, but how do you see it?
The specific aircraft may change, but unless the company opens new bases, I believe there will still be SIBA type flying. I'd like to hear your thoughts about the way you think the system will change. I am not calling you out here and actually I'd just like to hear another's point of view. It's all speculation, but how do you see it?
It has been interesting to see how we are "feeding" the 777 in Asia, KIX is a good example. More and more short, optimized trips to feed the long haul. Likewise, layovers being pushed/lost to other gage as the system flexes for expansion, economic recovery, and demand ... should be interesting either way. Bottomline, IMO, FDX will find a way to continue to maximize efficiencies, with or without us
02-26-2011 | 01:15 PM
#127
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From: Retired
02-26-2011 | 03:02 PM
#128
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From: 767 FO
You just assume that if the membership rejects the LOA at least in part because some of the membership recognizes the FDAs are leverage that SS would then back door approve half the leverage give away anyways.
02-26-2011 | 03:11 PM
#129
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The only assumption is that you think that the Company would even offer to make changes in that manner. Highly unlikely that they would just pony up more money/benefits. I would put more money on a 777CA turning down a draft trip than the company offering anything through the MEC Chairman approval route. (both loser bets BTW)
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