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FedEx Interview/New Hire Class

Old 07-07-2013, 02:47 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by erjpilot View Post
Doesn't FedEx have a fairly high amount of mandatory retirements over the next few years + guys that leave before 65? I would think that would result in hiring sooner than later?

I am an outsider but it blows my mind how many airframes FDX has, how many routes they fly (basically everywhere in the world), all with only 4500 pilots (are they all even active?). Hardly seems like that many.
true but FedEx (from what I have seen) is "done" when the destination cargo arrives and the plane is chocked. There are no 0600 thru 10PM all day long flights DFW to LAX, for example. FedEx is back in action in the evening when it is time to go to Memphis.
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Old 07-07-2013, 02:50 PM
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Hey Albie,

After the DAL/NWA merger, one of the ways mgt chose to shrink to profitability was to offer an early retirement package. Avoided the nasty F word, and got rid of some of the higher paid guys on the payroll with the most vacation, etc.

I know FDX has 4a2b at their disposal, but has the union ever had discussions about Pilot early retirement package ? Just a thought to relieve the stagnation/displacements and move the payroll down a bit from its top-heavy position.

Regards,
B
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Old 07-07-2013, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by FedElta View Post
Hey Albie,

After the DAL/NWA merger, one of the ways mgt chose to shrink to profitability was to offer an early retirement package. Avoided the nasty F word, and got rid of some of the higher paid guys on the payroll with the most vacation, etc.

I know FDX has 4a2b at their disposal, but has the union ever had discussions about Pilot early retirement package ? Just a thought to relieve the stagnation/displacements and move the payroll down a bit from its top-heavy position.

Regards,
B
We have the best retirement replacement income ratio in the business and the ability to retire early. There is no way the Company will put more frosting on that cake. Even if they did agree to something it would not be good enough compared to a part time job for most when they have max vacation/sick/dsa to attract enough takers . They will fix this manning problem through attrition and hope they do not get caught in a trough in staffing when the demand curve for our product starts moving up the wave. Even then they have plenty hungry for extra work on property. Just my 2 pennies.
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Old 07-07-2013, 03:19 PM
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maybe by the time any furloughs become more probable, it will be Christmas package season and it won't be mentioned again
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Old 07-07-2013, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by FrontSeat View Post
Have you ever heard of United Airlines (west)?
Yep. PBS didn't cause their headache.

If you give up everything for PBS it will suck. If you get to define the guidelines for your PBS you will get what you want. Your fear is from what you've heard from some and the unknown. Ask airlines with PBS that like it and why they like it. Delta likes theirs, ASA likes theirs. Ask them why.
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Old 07-07-2013, 03:39 PM
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I work for one of the friendly 121 cargo carriers mentioned above. We dont have pbs and i dont know what it means. Why do you not want it? Please explain. Thx...I'm new here to this airline stuff (mil guy)
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Old 07-07-2013, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcarpilot View Post
Yep. PBS didn't cause their headache.

If you give up everything for PBS it will suck. If you get to define the guidelines for your PBS you will get what you want. Your fear is from what you've heard from some and the unknown. Ask airlines with PBS that like it and why they like it. Delta likes theirs, ASA likes theirs. Ask them why.
We have PBS at Fedex. We can bid secondary lines any month we want to gamble. It generally does not work out well for anyone but most senior.

We, as a group, have said no. My Negotiating Committee speaks for me.
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Old 07-07-2013, 04:58 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by FedElta View Post
Hey Albie,

After the DAL/NWA merger, one of the ways mgt chose to shrink to profitability was to offer an early retirement package. Avoided the nasty F word, and got rid of some of the higher paid guys on the payroll with the most vacation, etc.

I know FDX has 4a2b at their disposal, but has the union ever had discussions about Pilot early retirement package ? Just a thought to relieve the stagnation/displacements and move the payroll down a bit from its top-heavy position.

Regards,
B
Did not work during 4a2b. My impression was company does not want to work with union on staffing issues. Contract was just fine for them. As Pipe alluded to, the company does a good job of creating anger and angst that simmers for years and that a free hot dog will not wash away. Only glimmer of cooperation I saw outside of some SIG wins was some safety improvements after Flight 80 which I think helped bring on FOQA, ASAP, etc.

Payroll is payroll. I got the impression the company enjoyed watching pilot turn on pilot during those times, and huge bid pack disparities did not trouble them at all. I learned a little about how they thought, and filed it away. Also noted that unlike in years past, bottom 10% on a seat was no guarantee of staying on the seat. I also saw a lot of new optimizes emerge like FOX which created accepted fare issues and canceled ground transportation automatically, etc.

Hard for you to understand after all your years here, but I really get the impression they simply didn't give a $hit if they felt it was in the contract.

I have often said that a few of the guys I worked with in the Air Force (and many are in fact at FedEx) if given a little authority to run some flight ops could have driven ALPA off the property years ago. Instead, the nickel and dime irritants add up to the point that even this the most instinctively loyal and company-centric type ex-military guys end up just as cynical, frustrated, and disillusioned with the company and soon adopt "it's just a job..." mentality.

I like the iPads. I like the sleep rooms. I hope our next contract offers some win/win options for commuters, and the reserve system becomes more flexible. But I will believe results only when in black and white on our contract.
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Old 07-07-2013, 05:09 PM
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Well said, Albie.
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Old 07-07-2013, 06:39 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Albief15 View Post
We have PBS at Fedex. We can bid secondary lines any month we want to gamble. It generally does not work out well for anyone but most senior.

We, as a group, have said no. My Negotiating Committee speaks for me.
I've talked to some who have been awarded very senior secondary lines and they all say it is no guarantee of getting what you want. When the schedulers screw up they say "Your input is only a request." They don't fix it or make any promise to do it better next time.

They do not share information. Often, they give you misinformation about how the process works. They always try to keep the process as murky as possible. They want you to think anything good you get on your line is a gift.

Any crewmember who wants PBS here is unbalanced.
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