[QUOTE=TonyC;60914]Rather than propogate rumor, we could actually look at Section 11.

Flex Instructors have always worked the same number of days as Reserve Line Holders, and days are credited at the Reserve Day credit. An extra day of work is NOT 6 hours at 150%, it's Reserve Day credit @ 150%. No change.

I don't think that is exactly true. If they work in MEM, they work 15 or 19 as appropriate. If they work off site, they get credit for 6 Ch per day. Effectively, that gives them 12 days of work versus the 15 days in a 4 week month that a reserve pilot works. Not knocking their deal, just noting that they did in fact give up something in this TA, when I don't think any pilot group should have been giving anything back to Fred.

 

It is exactly true, with your noted exception. Remove that exception, and Flex Instructors training OFF-Site will work the same number of days as Flex Instructors training ON-Site. How is that not fair?


Like I mentioned before, I was a Flex. According to the Contract, as a Flex, I was supposed to "Flex" to the line every third month. During the first month, I got 1 Fly Day, during the next month, I got 2 Fly days, and during the third month, I got to fly the line - - NOT. NEVER has the training department been manned to the levels that allow Flex Instructors to Fly AIRPLANES. Here, let me teach you how to fly the TLS at Subic. Have I been there in the past year and flown it in a monsoon? NO, I've only had 2 fly days a month for the last 24 months. Vacation? If you want to take it, you go to the line. If you want to sell it back, you work in the schoolhouse. Do you think that develops an Instructor credibility issue? Absolutely. Do you think it helps them maintain proficiency? Absolutely not.

Look at the provisions for Flex Instructors as a whole, and consider the issue of proficiency and credibility, and I think you'll find that they have gained considerably with this TA. Sure, there are some guys who would prefer to NOT work and NOT fly - - I suppose you could argue they gave that up. However, to the average responsible Flex Instructor, the whole package is a big improvement.





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As usual Tony, you are on target (and you actually read and re-read the contract/TA to support your positions!).

 

Although I agree with you (I look forward to Tony's posts because they are almost always based on research instead of opinion), I'm kind of amused by the rambings and opinions of the guys who haven't read the contract (maybe ever?) but feel it necessary to express their opinions none the less.

Mark

 

It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
..... - William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5
I couldn't wait for the TA to arrive by mail, so I had one printed in color (to see all the changes/deletions/additions) and with large margins for taking notes and preparing questions. What's a few bucks when analyzing the next 4-6 years of our jobs?

Another mystery -- we are still in the infancy of the voting process, so how can so many people already have their minds made up? Sit back, relax, read-and-compare, and ask questions (P2P, these forums, roadshows, over a beer with your pilot neighbors, etc.), then make your own informed decision. The majority will then rule and we'll move on either way.

Also, this is what ... the 2nd contract here at FedEx? I think we all need to learn from the process so we do better the 3rd, 4th, 5th time around. If that means being prepared to "show individual resolve" the minute our next contract becomes amendable, so be it.

Now back to my research.

P.S. The "color" version of the TA can be found at https://crewroom.alpa.org/fdx/Deskto...cumentID=33148 (if the direct link doesn't work, just log on and click the Read the TA'd Contract Sections Now! icon).

 

How is that not Fair? Tony If you are on reserve and are launched on a 15/19 day trip,do you work every one of those day's. How much does each away from base count fpr leveling. The reason the current 6 days for off site is in the current contract, was to force the company to use there resorces fairely,just like many International guys would like to see MPPD. As for the credibality gains, why should the flexes suffer because the company will not man the training department properly. You also falied to mention the SO flexes who actually take up to a $400 cut in overide. Did anyone else take a pay cut under this T/A. How is that fair.



.[/QUOTE]

 

Yes. Just to remind you of how it works on the line (I'm guessing by your outrage that you're a Flex) when you actually go out and fly a line trip, regardless of whether or not you're on reserve, you're taken away from your home and your family. That means that you're at work. Working. Not sleeping in your own bed. Not getting drafted on your days off to sit support on a sim event.

Sorry, I'm having a real problem with the whole concept of Flex outrage with the TA. I think it's still a good deal and far better than anyone else in the industry has. (I might need to be educated on that point.) And if it isn't, go back to the line. Where you'll be actually working revenue trips.

 

Many of those guys (not all, but many) have long forgotten what being away from home is like (other than the FLL PM out/back).
Look at many of those Senior Flex's in the MD11. They have been in the School house or mgt jobs for the last 20 plus years....................and teaching us how to fly in China or SFS when they have never been there.
A a few even Brag about that fact.

MY prediction is that Very few FLEX guys will quit.....except The Senior 727 Flex guys. Watch the next bid. See if they don't Bid the Bus or MD and magically become a expert flex intructor on them after 2 short months of having to fly the line.

 

Naw, they've been whining about since it was TA'd. I was in the schoolhouse for upgrade this spring and heard guys whining about it. During a sim break in the break area, 3 instructors were sitting around, and 2 were really whining up a storm. Then the third finally jumped in and said, "I guess they figured out that we really haven't been helping the cause lately, have we!?" That brought a few "Dohs"!

 

Wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!