Quote:
Originally Posted by FreightDawgyDog
........Or put them all in place and build the lines to 48 hours. If we have 700 pilots surplus and can't figure out a way to furlough them that makes economic sense, at least get as many pilots as possible working for a huge pay cut. Am I missing something here? I'd say the DC-10, 757 and 777 crews will be hit the hardest here when it comes to BLG reduction. In the case of the 777, pilots will actually volunteer for that.
When I read this statement, the tone seemed to me that you were in disbelief that pilots would "actually volunteer" for a 777 knowing they would probably be one of the airplanes "hit the hardest" with BLG reductions. As if this was the only factor they considered when they decided to bid the 777.
I've always said that the written word is not the most effective way of communicating thoughts or emotions - it is extremely difficult for the reader to get the full intent of what they are reading without the other cues to help them.
I apologize that I read-into what you had written.
Having said that.........
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreightDawgyDog
Are you comparing the AA pilots that participated in the Furlough Stand Instead program with those that bid the 777? Interesting take to say the least. I guess those that bid it during the practice bids before the New Years Eve FCIF were altruistic and clairvoyant. We need more guys with those skills on our NC!
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreightDawgyDog
Since I was the "previous poster" I feel compelled to respond on both points.
I never said anyone was crazy, or radical, for bidding the 777 knowing there may be a pay cut. I simply stated that, as opposed to those on the DC-10 and 757, they would have a choice whether or not to be on a plane that would likely be built to less hours than others. So instead of reading more into something than what was actually written, perhaps a little of your own medicine may be in order when you prescribe this..
"Since I've been at FDX - it seems like there's a lot of guys who've been here a while that have EVERYTHING all figured out - so they feel compelled to tell someone when they are screwing up or about to screw up - when, in fact, THEY are the ones who are clueless."
I don't think I ever saying/typing/telling anyone they were screwing up. Or, that I have it all figured out either (not even close.) In fact, just the opposite. I was just trying to say - DON'T jump someone for a decision when you don't have all the facts behind that decision.
Again - when I first read your post, I "read-in" that you were jumping the 777 bidders, I already apologized for misinterpreting your intent - but, I still stand by the basic premis of all my replies.
In the time I've been at FDX, you would not believe (or you might?) the number of times I've had senior guys tell me how "they knew all along that freight flying vs. pax was much more stable - they never even applied to any of the pax carriers".....or the many times I heard the story of the "idiot who quit FDX the day before 9/11 to go to AA and was furloughed the next day".....a trend, I would say, of arrogance and ignorance here at FDX.
So, when I hear a FDX guy say (or read what a FDX guy has written) something regarding decisions others have made or are making, I have a pre-disposition to frame the comments in that kind of context.
Again, I apologize for doing that here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreightDawgyDog
Now back to the other point. I have no idea whether any of the names on the final bid award would have bid it to help out a fellow pilot by taking a pay cut. Do you? I have a pretty good idea that none of the pilots on the practice bid awards had any inclination that the 777 lines might be built with less than the 68 BLG min because the FCIF of 12/31 was not out, nor was the latest union email about being cautious with your bid. For those that bid the 777 as a way of throwing themselves on the low pay grenade so others don't suffer, I salute them. BTW..are you bidding the 777?
I also didn't say anyone was bidding the 777 in order to help out a fellow pilot. I don't know why anyone is bidding the 777? or why anyone is not?
I highly doubt that anyone is bidding the 777 just to jump on a grenade for anyone junior to them.....not likely......but possible......maybe some are?
I was using the AA Furlough Stand Instead as an example of how sometimes pilots do things that don't make sense to anyone but themselves and their own situation. That's as far as the analogy was meant to go.
I'm most likely too junior to hold the 777 - but I changed my standing bid last night to give it a shot. I really don't expect to get it - "it's going to go way senior"......I'll keep my exact motivations to myself - but rest assured, I have given it a lot of thought and considered all the opinions everyone has written here.
I'm glad we have this forum for hashing all this stuff out - even though it's probably only 20 or so of us that take the time to put stuff on here.