Yeah, that's what I said and I was called a Koolaid drinker.....but I am easily swayed due to the fact I have a weak mind

Actually, if you listen to those that were at the meeting, you will find out this is exactly NOT the case.

Seriously guys, quit looking under the bed expecting to find ghosts.

Are you kidding me????? Its the company thats said Twice (cap'd for you), the furlough word is not in the vocabulary.

Note that this is the average wage of a court reporter. To hire one would cost more (about $150/hour and up) since you have to pay the person's company, too. The really experienced ones make $40/hour, but many times they are worth it. I always ask for certain ones because having a good one makes life a whole lot easier for everyone. Some bring home made cookies and they aren't even jumpseating!

It's ok to have a weak mind as long as your other body parts work good.

you bet....you know....I really do like to eat a little Chinese now and then.

Thanks for the information, since our union will not communicate to us. I must say one thing, correct me if I am wrong. But the only reason dw is willing to go to the mat for BLG and "F" is because it is not on the immediate horizon. If he knows it is not going to be a problem then he can promise to fight for it, no worries. Make the promise and look good, talk is cheap. At the worst we are misaligned and a touch fat. In order to furlough there has to be a long term plan, about three years, for it to pay for itself. This company runs lean and depends on the whor_s to pick up open time and DP's. I just don't see this guy coming to bat for the majority or the junior. He needs to go!!!

H

H,

DW said that although BLG cuts and "F" aren't on the immediate horizon, the union is going to come up with strategies for combatting them if/when they do pop up. I also think that the whole crew force is best served by a lack of BLG reduction and a lack of "F" (since I am a Furloughee, I love saying it this way!).

I went with a negative attitude and came away neutral on a lot of things. Again, the biggest problem is that this information is only being recieved by those who attend these meetings (and who post here).

One other thing I want to mention. Everyone says to get involved in ALPA and be a part of the solution. I think today was a great indicator. When I first walked in it was standing room only, there weren't near enough chairs for all the people who came. This tells me that they were only expecting a small turnout....but at least they had plenty of sandwiches!! It was nice to see that so many people felt it was time to get out and show the flag, so to speak. Hopefully this will continue, and they will come up with a way to keep those who are unable to attend more informed.

Thanks APC again for doing our union's job of telling the rest of us non-Memphis crewmembers what is going on...

Here's my two cents after attending the meeting:
1. DW gave a good review on PC's letter concerning BLG and Furlough. He stated his view of the economy, $100 a barrel fuel, ect. and how those items would effect our business. (I'm not sure I agree seeing the company made $2 B last year). It wasn't doom and gloom though.

2. DW discussed the BLG and Furlough hysteria that has been running rampant (especially on this forum). He "demanded" (AND I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!) that crewmembers need to READ their contract especially section 4 and 23. DW specifically read parts of BOTH sections about what the company needs to do (which they haven't done) before BLG reduction and Furlough. DW stated that a company unilateral BLG reduction without meeting CBA requirements would be a reason to issue a strike vote.

3. DW thinks the company made a BIG mistake posting 07-02 and 07-03 with age 65 on the horizon. He feels that the company believes that if the over 60 group, that can head back to the front seats and does so, there will be a big ripple effect forcing excesses of bottom guys off the a/c who were awarded and trained on 02 &03 which would be a huge expense for the company and they don't want to incur those costs. (I think the real reason is JL went to PC and said the 02 & 03 bid needs to be canceled so the age 60 guys on the 10 and 727 wouldn't have to wait for either a excess or vacancy bid and miss the chance to move back to the front as soon as possible)

4. SS got up and gave another review of the work done by the R&I committee. Some good questions got answered on VEBA and if he thought the company would go after or age 60 retirement on the next contract negotiations (He doesn't think they will). DW got up on one question about current retirement benefits explaining that NOTHING has or can change on age 60 retirement benefits under THIS contract AND THE ONLY WAY IT WILL CHANGE UNDER THE NEXT CONTRACT IS IF WE AGREE TO AND RATIFY A CHANGE. (We need to go to the mat to keep our retirement age at 60 with NO reductions in the NEXT contract!!!)

5. The ALPA lobbyist got up and rehashed the age 60 mess. Old news! They need to stop beating the dead horse.

Then broke up into LEC meetings. News on the 757 instructors: the company came to the union and tried to get a number of items changed beyond just some POP relief. The union stood their ground and said NO to relief on these non-related items (GOOD!!). Since then, the company has not come back to the union to further discuss the issue. The ball is in the companies corner and it seem they are taking no action. They don't want to talk to the union.

A suggestion was made to have WEEKLY hub meetings instituted again so the MEC and interact with the crewforce and get a better read on what we want. They NEED do it but I won't be holding my breath.

Comm from the union still sucks, and although there may be glimpses that they realize it, it doesn't look like they're willing to do much about it. Many guys still think our union is spending too muck time worried and working on NATIONAL issues vice taking care of our own house.

That's my read on the meeting.

Gee rampant hysteria about furloughs. I don't understand it either. We had all those positive message lines (not) and that no notice hub turn meeting where DW said to get your finances in order. Why would some of the junior guys be worried about being sold up the river?