March 11 is getting closer. Plan B will go into effect. The most junior 44 FQS's better think HARD about this. You could have the most to lose.

 

And plan B is a backup if the drive fails?

 

FQS aren't going anywhere. UPS will fight to their dying breath to keep them just as they are. I'll be absolutely astounded if they aren't in place, serving in their current role, 1 year/5 years/10 years from now. In case current events have slipped one's attention: organized labor isn't exactly getting stronger these days.

 

Are you serious? If so, you might want to start preparing yourself for this eventuality.

 

If you've got some kind of documentary evidence to the contrary, I'd love to hear it. To this point, all we've seen is a failed attempt at getting them to sign their cards and voluntarily give up a $230+ /yr job as an InstaCaptain to be thrown into the salt mines with the rest of us. UPS will never agree, on their own, to give them up so that only leaves NMB. If the FX drivers deal is any indication, it doesn't look good for us...

 

the junior FQSs make the same or less then line F/Os, not $230+, so it would probably pay to come over to our side, not to mention better benefits.

Take a deep breath and count to 6...

 

Couple of different issues. FQS language flying is mentioned in our current CBA. I think that language will get significant scrutiny in the next contract. There are already very good ideas to limit exactly how much flying FQS's can do. If you look at UPS labor practices, "management" is almost prohibited from conducting anything that "union" labor has rights to (I believe the "airline" is the only exception here). I have no doubt that UPS labor division will gear up to fight plan B. We will just have to see on this. The EB was very tight lipped about this one.

The NPRM will SEVERELY restrict what FQS's can do. The way they are being utilized in Miami is VERY unsafe. I hope that no one down there gets in an incident/accident as a result of this reckless practice.
The compensation on the ipapilot.org (FQS tab) relates to how much money these guys are making. There are a couple of things left out, but it basically shows they are making what a 10 year FO makes (based on days worked). Their salary is also fixed (except for bonus). Where ours is not (OT or JA's). Plus our credit hours vary depending on seniority and/or desire to work more. So that 10 year FO can make much more $$ than an FQS, while maintaining their OWN schedule.

The FedEx driver issues is completely different than this. The argument was they were/were not employees. The courts sided the language that is currently in place. Very complicated. I don't think that argument works for the FQS force. They are clearly UPS pilots. They fly UPS aircraft. They write/train UPS/IPS pilots. They belong in the "management" pension fund......etc....etc.....

I will be seeing you soon my friend! Looking forward to some warmer weather!!

 

Look dude, I'm on your side -- I hope you're right. I just haven't seen anything that gives me the same confidence in this that you apparently have. Forgive me if, after 3 years of: "you'll never be displaced, you'll never be furloughed, etc. etc," I don't have blind faith in pronouncements made on this site or B&G. Not sure what deep breathing and counting have to do w/ anything but sounds like fun.

 

Even without the NPRM, I'd still like to know how UPS has been getting away with this for all these years. A crewmember is either on duty or on rest. There is no middle ground. If an FQS is in the office, he is on duty and not on rest. Just like we are on duty when we sit in the classroom for training.

Of course the answer is that UPS 'owns' the SDF FSDO, but is this an issue the IPA has taken to DC?

 

Not so, deadheading is not duty and it's not rest. Duty is defined as the time you show for a trip (intending to fly, not sort magazines) until you're relased into rest. I think that's probably why the NPRM has language specifically directed to fix this "duty loophole"

Guide to Flight Time Limitations and Rest Requirements