Pakage, of course you make very valid points. I change my schedule often during certain months, and have been on the bad end of this deal, trying to make it home, with an offline guy on the jumpseat. But then I remember the countless international jumpseats I have taken on carriers that we cannot reciprocate with. Those AA, DL and UA crews took me and other FDXers back/forth to Europe, Central, and South America many, many times. I have always liked saying to those crews whom we cannot reciprocate with "you can book on us 24 hours out and have a guaranteed seat. You can also get our shipping discount". At least I know, from our JS chairman, that we are working on international jumpseat reciprocity.

Try getting extended in the field and then not allowed to jump home for a kids event because offline booked it 24 hours prior so they are protected then you go to same offline airline and get bumped as the door is closing for a company employee. Just part of the gig. Good change.

No I agree it is a good change. Just to keep it in perspective the company refused to recognize these valid arguments or the Captain's authority to control who rides on the airplane, even after 911. All of a sudden we introduce language which opens the door for the company to use company jumpseats instead of deadheading us (limited with loose language) and now they want to be able to kick everyone off. Now you'll be listed on the FedEx jumpseat trying to get to work and you'll get bumped for a FedEx jumpseat in lieu of deadhead. I'm sure the company would never do that!!!

I'm thinking about how much reduction in numbers of Jumpseats we will be taking over the next decade.

We will be going to a huge fleet of 100 767s which have 3 non-reclining Jumpseats next to the lav, from airplanes which have potentially 8 Jumpseats on them now.

I see the day within the next decade when all 3 Jumpseats will be filled with FedEx pilots from your city the moment the booking process opens for them. And.....there will be 3 more FedEx pilots who can't get to work....let alone any offline jumpseaters.

Why didn't we insert no harm, no foul language in anticipation of this looming shortage? Or some way to use your deviation bank to purchase a commercial ticket and the company would cover your taxes owed....or something creative.

It's very difficult to Jumpseat into Memphis anymore. Many Pinnacle and NWA/Delta guys still live here. Try jumpseating sometime with 3 FedEx guys, an offline guy, and two Delta pilots--you'll spend the day trying. The de-hubbing of Memphis changed the commuting life drastically.

I predict unintended consequences. I think people will call in sick if they can't get a Jumpseat for short trips. The increased company sick costs alone over the 25 plus years we have the 767 would more than have paid for moving the toilet, adding some Jumpseats in the back, and getting a rest area or seats. Once again, FedEx is being penny-wise and pound foolish. Imagine how much money they are also going to spend on the "can" crew rest solution and the ESO (enhanced sleep opportunity). Add that to increased sick usage costs.

Fail.

????? Seldom get to reciprocate. I have off liners on my Jumpsuits often and they are always welcome.

"sure there MAY be last minute changes to someone's schedule but that is rare" I do not know what Aircraft or Seat you are in but I looked at my past 3 months, I see a lot of revisions where my back end DH went away and I ended up in MEM at the last minute.

Viper, just curious, do you commute? Have you ever tried to book a jumpseat to DEN, ATL, DFW or SEA or ANC inside of 21 days?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy giving my Offline brethren a ride when ever, but excuse me if I think FDX Pilots should get Jumpseat Priority on a FDX Jet, I wish DL, AA UAL would allow us to reserve their Jumpseats 24 hours in advance with no chance of getting bumped. With the reduction in Realistic DH fares, reduction in DH's period, the FDX Jumpseat is becoming harder and harder to use.

There are obviously some strong opinions on both sides of the argument. It's good that we had an opportunity to voice our opinions to the Negotiating Committee via polls and surveys, and we knew what our collective stance on the issue was from the published contract Openers.


Oh, wait ...







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I brought this issue up with all my block reps through the years along with staging protection for all domiciles. Glad the NC listened.

Excellent point. In Nov the IAD-MEM goes from an MD10 to a 767. From 4-7 jumpseats down to 3. And with the govt couriers sometimes taking 2 jumpseats, it isnt going to be good.

That's interesting. The only one I seem to have is labled highlights as of TA 19 August

Actually, was this even negotiated? All the contract says is that "pilots shall be given access to Company jump seats on terms no less favorable than those provided in the Company jump seat policy effective January 25, 1998 and included in the PBB. Procedures for booking and other provisions governing access to Company jump seats shall be as provided in that policy."

The way I see it, since this change refers to offline pilots, not our pilots, the company could change it on their own without asking us. Not sure if that's the way it happened though.