BrownClown

I agree. Look at what they've done with our trip trade system and there's your answer on how bad PBS will be. Having used PBS at a legacy, we don't want it here.

1800 RVR

I find it interesting that people say they won't post on the B&G, using their real names, fearing that they will be ridiculed. I've spoken out against stuff there, but have always been treated with respect. Show your true stones there, and then I'll listen to what some of these posts are about. Until then, keep typing...

The Walrus

Has PBS actually been mentioned at the table by your company yet?

package puppy

We've been told it hasn't. They don't need it anymore considering the percentage of conflict they're able to recover these days.

Archie Bunker

Not true at all for me. I'm a Jan 2007 hire (in the bottom 300), I commute to ANC, and I conflict bid on at least half of our bids. Case in point: this bid period I had one week of vacation in January that I conflicted...now I've got three weeks off in January...no backfill.

Same thing happened last summer, but I had two weeks of vacation to conflict. I touched three trips on my vacation weeks, and I didn't work the whole bid period. Luckily I had CQ6 at the start of the new bid period, or I was about to go uncurrent on landings. I'm not making this stuff up to try to make the company look good, I'm just telling the truth.

I'm a serial VTO bidder that usually ends up in the bottom half of the VTO bid crowd.

Personally, I would never go back to my legacy (Delta, Aug 2000 hire). I have much more time off here, and I make a lot more money. I remember PBS being horrible for my QOL. 4 days on, 3 days off on reserve, and one week of vacation = one week off, that's it. In my entire 6 years at Delta, I don't think I ever had two weeks off in a row. I did however have plenty of 5 leg days on the MD-88 out of ATL. Trust me...the grass isn't always greener.

I'm no Brown company cheerleader, but some of the stuff I read here is just plain over the top. You can make a lot of money here, and have a lot more time off than you do at any legacy, if you're a smart bidder (even if you're junior).

BrownClown

Well said!

Precontact

11-11-14
EB Rumor Control: Unity Requires Facts, Not Rumors

Q: Is progress being made in negotiations?
A:Yes. Slow but steady progress is being made at the negotiation table. Bringing appropriate pressures to bear on management to negotiate in good faith takes time. But, under the supervision and control of the federal mediator, we are breaking through significant barriers.

Q: Is the Company refusing to negotiate scheduling due to IPA's lawsuit over Part 117?
A: No, the mediator put an end to the Company's refusal to negotiate scheduling. We are now deep into negotiating provisions of Article 13. With the number of issues being presented by IPA, meticulously working through these details will take time and our approach is to address each issue carefully, piece-by-piece.

Q: Does the IPA's lawsuit against the FAA concerning Part 117 strengthen our position in contract negotiations?
A: Yes. The IPA's lawsuit and legislative efforts are keeping the focus on UPS's irrational insistence that it be allowed to operate outside of a national (FAR Part 117) safety standard. Spotlighting UPS's irrational "a pilot is not a pilot" position translates into more support for the IPA as we seek to bring common sense scheduling rule changes through our contract, as well as through law.

Q:What if the FAA rules that cargo operators will continue to be "carved-out" of Part 117?
A: : An FAA ruling that cargo operators will continue to be carved-out would not be a surprise. Such a ruling would add even more pressure on UPS to address its scheduling and safety culture practices through negotiations by writing new rules into the collective bargaining agreement. Also, the courts, not the FAA, will have the final say on whether or not the FAA had the authority to exclude cargo carriers from the new FARs in the first place.

Q: With regard to our negotiations, will the IPA agree to institute PBS?
A: No. No member of the EB or the IPA Negotiating Team will allow UPS to institute PBS. The Association's biggest priorities in negotiations are scheduling and quality of life. PBS would represent a step backward and the IPA will not agree to it.

Q: Will the IPA increase the normal retirement age to 65 and freeze the A Plan?
A: No. The IPA will not allow an increase in the normal retirement age, and there will be no "freeze" of the A Plan. Based on membership surveys, we are committed to increasing retirement benefits for IPA members, not reducing them.

Q: Is General Counsel Bill Trent being paid over a $100K per month in salary?
A: No. Trent's salary is based on UPS Captain's pay and has not changed. The EB restructured the original employment agreement last year to bring Trent's retirement benefits equal to that of a UPS Captain. Department of Labor LM-2 rules require that Trent's regular salary be combined with the pension payments and placed on the form as one total. Last year’s restructuring was outlined to the membership in a detailed message in February which is archived in the Library Section of the IPA website. Not shown on the LM-2 is the $8 million in liabilities that were subtracted (removed) from the IPA's balance sheet as a result of amending the employment agreement, including elimination of the original agreement's “golden parachute" provision.

Q: Are other attorneys assisting Trent during negotiations?
A: Yes. In addition to the IPA's two staff attorneys, Trent is assisted by Krista Fogelman of Washington DC. Fogelman specializes in ERISA law which covers the area of pension and health care benefits. Also involved is Arthur Luby. Luby, currently with ALPA, advises the Association on issues particularly related to scope as he has since 1991. Backing up our legal team as necessary in other specialized areas is Erick Pilsk of the Washington DC law firm of Kaplan, Kirsch, and Rockwell; Kathleen Yodice of Yodice Associates, Frederick MD; and William Wilder of the Washington DC firm of Baptiste & Wilder.

Q: I've heard rumors that the IPA will conduct informational picketing this week. Is the pilot group expected to turn out in large numbers for this event?
A: No. A group of IPA volunteers has been organized to conduct informational picketing in New York City to a targeted audience later this week. More information will be released on Thursday in conjunction with the event.

Q: There is a rumor that UPS is attempting to reduce the number of recurrent training days on some fleets, is this true?
A:Yes, some in management are advocating a reduction in recurrent training days. The IPA has been on record with the FAA since 2011 outlining the need for more, not less training. Recent aircraft events have since reinforced the Association’s message, and the IPA will oppose any attempt to remove days from recurrent training.

busdriver12

I suppose you are right. You don't know if you'll get hired elsewhere if you don't even put in the application.

However, it would be pretty hard to leave after nine years in towards retirement. The majors are just starting to hire now, do you trade being about to retire in 11 or 16 years (or whatever your system allows) to an unknown of being on the bottom of the seniority list again? What if you're older and you have to retire earlier? It is very difficult to leave what appears to be a secure job for the unknown.

I think the only way I could leave is if I truly hated what I was doing, and absolutely hated the company I was working for. Otherwise, I'd probably suck it up and just try to make it until retirement.

Commando

MasterCard. Please Stay! To neutralize these big time wusses on this board! And I've been here for over 20 years, and have never made any where close to $300K! Let alone $350 numbers some idiots are throwing around here. And I've been a CA for 8 years.

And I agree, our Union is Toothless. Even with Bob T. in charge.

Commando

I have very close friends at AA, DL, and UAL. And a five leg day is extremely rare!! more like 2 or 3 legs. Can't stand the blowhards here that stretch the truth to make it better than it is. UPS Blows. Admit it. Night Time sort, going to Alaska to start a Trip, awesome!! Idiots.