PurpleToolBox

Yes, I stepped into a hornets nest.

Not senior. So you can stop that argument. I also find it unethical for those who pick up trips that they don't intend to fly, to shop it around a group of willing participants. But I don't think that happens often. The real problem is people are using Bots -- and I don't mean the two products developed by FDXers that many of our pilots have on their phones. And when they're using those bots, you aren't going to get any trip. The Bot will have an earlier time stamp than you. Do not doubt me on this.

Disagree. Previous company processed requests in seniority and junior people could change their schedule. Senior folks don't really need to do this as they're usually get what they want.

Let me rephrase that for you ... why should people who are flying carryover month after month, working extra flying for straight pay, helping the company, get paid so much while getting PNP screwing everyone else trying to change their schedule? I agree 100%.

Name calling is a great way of winning debates.


I get it, you guys don't like the OT by seniority. The current system is broken. It is why a few seem to get all the nice trips that fall into OT. It is why VIPs nearly crashes every Thursday when OT is out.

I think slowing down the process would be best for more pilots. It would give more pilots who are airborne a chance to bid because there is no fair time to release OT. Pilots are often sleeping or flying. I've flown with crewmembers who were up all night trying to swap trips when they should have been sleeping. We are our own worst enemy.

It would give folks who are commuters a chance to see if they can secure a flight or deadhead.

And it would defeat the bots.

I figured a system that respected seniority would be welcome. I am wrong. But this is FedEx ...not exactly the most unified group I've ever worked with.

golfandfly

I’m totally against seniority based open time pick ups. Seniority has its privileges, as it should. You get to bid monthly schedules and vacations first, bid CIC trips each month to enhance schedules, etc. I think open time should be time stamped and be awarded in order received.

I do agree with you on PNP. It was another well intentioned idea, but it’s used differently than it was envisioned. If you check out many of the more senior wolf pack schedules, they bid max carry over schedules. They will then bid a secondary line and bid min days off. After “the snap shot” is taken, they’ll proffer their trip MKU and some fool will pick it up every time. Now they have an open first week and will use their priority time to pick up great trips. They’ll do it every month.

Some aren’t concerned about some of the wolf pack because they are FOs. But, unlike OTP, PNP never expires. So, they’ll bring it with them as Captains.

I’d like to see PNP eliminated.

FXLAX

If the senior folks don’t need to do this as they usually get what they want, doesn’t that just strengthen the argument in favor of just having instant trip trading?

At my previous company, we had instant trip trading. Having it that way, everyone could change their schedule, junior and senior. But it gave the junior pilot hope to improve QOL. The senior pilots were able to improve their QOL even more, if they wanted to. But they were now on equal footing with the junior pilots. So everyone was happy. Senior pilots benefited by bidding with their seniority. And junior pilots were still able to increase QOL. And if the senior pilot still wanted to increase theirs as well, then they could too...with everyone else.

Tuck

So are they worse than the flip flops in the past? Do they get a long layover in ORD and stay on day time? I honestly don't know but would love to hear from someone that has flown both the priors and now these.

Tuck

I'm not a fan of unlimited make up - we have way to many people that will fly every single day if they could...got to get that $$. That's not the job they were promised and frankly they hurt the crew force.

How would you make someone whole? There really are no easy solutions - company will never just buy up say 20CH and yet you have to give that pilot the means to get make up ahead of other pilots.

Tuck

Huh? Everything you said in the 2nd paragraph after the first sentence applies at this company - the one that you chose to come to and leave the "previous company". So what exactly are you implying instant trip trading would do again other than give instant gratification to the member? I'm all for speeding it up but not instant - washes out necessary positives of PNP and PMU.

golfandfly

We went a long time without PNP and, in my opinion, it needs to end in our next contract. Well intended, but abused...

PMU is different. I’d like real time trip trading, but not sure how to account for PMU.

Fdxlag2

First you would have to prove to me there are fewer flip flops. Second understand what we gave up, short version you are allowed to exceed 8 in 24 on consecutive days and continue operating. If it is over two duty periods than just a normal rest required. The third day is when you get your sixteen hours. Before contract 2015 we got long layover (24 -36 hours) between transcons. The bottom line is we are much more productive on the days side and I don’t think the flip flops have decreased.

PurpleToolBox

But that doesn't stop the people with BOTs and the cheaters. To me that is the real problem.



And nobody in my seat is getting what they want because for every good trip that is out there, someone has PMU or PNP.

FrankTheTank

Dude, I was just playing... Hence the smilie..