The TA has many new things that increase productivity due to our low staffing. In addition to the dont get sick or take vacation scheme, you have some others also.

There is new language relating to VTOs, and to extra pay when extended etc. When you have vacation you can now elect to not use all those days. The retirement hasnt increased, so that in the short term, some might decide to stay longer. There are other areas that also increase productivity, directly or indirectly.

The reason I point this out is because I wonder how bad their staffing model shows that peak, and beyond, might be a problem. And if we are really short to cover the next 2 months, what would a no vote do to entice the Company for a better deal?

Just thinking out loud, but I believe that we might have more bargaining power than we think. That is JMO, so for those that would give a counter argument, I have heard them already.

Just flying my schedule, or less, over the holidays to be home with family.

 

I voted no. If the TA1 is voted down I have no expectation that it will be less than 2 years for TA2. If it is sooner all the better, but that's what I have planned for. The company will get through peak one way or another. It will get ugly, we will get extended "rerouted" and swept, even if the TA passes. FedEx will flush the instructors back and they can involuntarily cancel vacations. When I was in MIA I met some Atlas pilots, they were training in the Boeing 767 sims down there. They told me FedEx is shopping to see how much lift they can provide for peak.

 

I don't expect peak to be ugly at all. They managed last year without any major incident. They've hired this year which has helped crew staffing. They also over scheduled our trips with extra legs, especially the 757, to pick up any extra freight that normally couldn't be handled during peak with our normal schedule. And they will slam us with lots of hotel standbys.

During the summer my phone rang constantly with draft calls. I haven't been called in over a month now despite our flying picking up.

Peak will be just fine.

 

"Peak will be just fine."

To quote F Smith's red letter Fed ex is good with or without us.

I agree with you

 

Do this little test to see our "leverage" and if peak will be fine. VIPS/bid line adjustments /vlt/vlt for general trips. Put in some dates and see how many pilots in your seat are VLTing for whatever is left after vacation buy back, AVA, and reserve assignment. Two capts in two different airframes were stunned by the results.

 

I just looked at the 20-27 oct in 77 f/o and found zero pilots vlt.

 

Awesome. Good news for FOs

 

I have rccd few drft calls since middle august.

 

I've received DRF calls in the last 2 weeks.

 

I received multiple draft calls in Jul, Aug & Sep