Any one else notice that not a single 757 training dept pilot showed up on the bid ? At least from the ones that are listed on the 757 web page ? How is that going to work ? Maybe they all are sticking up for themselves and want a legitimate deal, in writing, before they bid it. Who knows, but it will be very interesting to follow the trail as we move forward...

I havn't talked to JF sense the bid, but all of those guys who went over there as inital cadrey have worked long and hard,and from what I have heard have produced an exceptional training program. None of there names appeared on the bid,because they couldn't afford the pay cut. It will be very hard to hire FLEX/LCAs at narrow body pay.The previous Mang Dir of training stated that his intent was not to pay POP to anyone. Time will tell.

What did previous training manager say would motivate a guy to flex/superflex/LCA on the jet? Is it their position that the override will be enough to entice folks to do the job? Do we have folks who want to be an LCA so bad they'll do it for free?

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but here's what I'm figuring out...we are being divided and conquered one little battle at a time, and the union is not drawing any lines in the sand.

If they go after training guys perks...who cares? They make plenty anyway...

If they go after the Subic guys good deal, who cares? Only 80 of them...and they all got foreign wives or girlfriends or are just weird and won't come back to the states anyway....

If they inverse a few folks for a few months...who cares? You only have to be junior once....

If they change age 60 laws, it won't matter that much if you are already a captain or getting close. It will all work out in the end...and its the right thing to do...

If they pound you on the 727...just upgrade to the 'bus. If they pound you on the 'bus with optimized schedules, just go to the MD-11...the international trips are SWEET. Oops...dang....now the optimizer got US too! (Maybe I should have complained when the 727 guys or the 'bus guys got nailed!)

So far, a "businesslike relationship" between our union and the company somehow means cutting and parcelling off each other bit by bit. I'm sick of it.

There can still be win/win outcomes. Take a look at the cost of hiring 50 new hires....at 60k year one, 120k year 2 (avg), 130k year 3-4. My estimate is that averages about $5,500,000 a year. Take that amount and divide it by 160 folks (80/80 in each domicile) and you get almost $3000 a month that could have been given to pilots....imagine how easy to fill the domiciles if they said "we'll give you $5,000 a month extra....period...to do as you see fit". Pilots would have stomped each other to go to the FDAs. The company could have saved the training, insurance, and benefits costs for 50 new pilots on the payroll. And they also would have cleaned out about 50 people off some seats...many which appear to my untrained eye as slightly overmanned. So...for another 3 k a month per pilot--everyone could have won. THAT is a business like relationship...not rolling over and giving milk every time the company says "suckle time".

...we are being divided and conquered one little battle at a time, and the union is not drawing any lines in the sand.

If I had only one thing I would say to wake this crew force up, that would be it. We are blue collar (labor), and it is the Companies job to do anything they can, by any means available, to get our services on the cheap. And I dont blame them. I blame US for being blind, apathetic, stupid, or whatever word you care to use. The Company doesnt pay big $$ to their anti union lawyers so they can give us a good deal. I say "Mcflies, wake up!"

In another forum, Redeye makes the point that US Air pilot group should blame their MEC and not ALPA for their merger problems. At least, I think he does (I get bored reading long posts). He is right, but the problem is the way ALPA sets up the rules (along with pilot apathy); it is probably easier to get rid of the union then it is to get rid of the mec.

I am not advocating getting rid of ALPA (I pledge my neverending loyalty and gratitude along with that 2%). But read the bullet points here: http://usairlinepilots.org/default2.htm Not to start a fight on the dumping of ALPA; but the sunshine provisions they list would make a nice start here. They must not have lawyers at USAPA yet.

Ding, Ding....we have a winner!

...unfortunately, it ain't us...

Well said, Albie.

I'm hearing rumors that of the original 10 guys (inital cadre) that got 757 types at FDX (tech pilots, etc.), only 2 are left. Couple were "fired" back to the line and the rest quit. How we looking.....

I only know one of those guys, but he is the type of guy I model my image of what a "captain" should be...a former 727 LCA that just exudes "class" and "technical competence".

Hope we get it figured out. Good company, nice jets....great people. Ought to be able to find a way to make it work.

They probably got scared off by the prospect of STVs.

Feel free to go back to my posts during the contract negotiations and see that this is EXACTLY the song I was singing at the time... Good ol' TonyC loved to beat my arguments down and was a big proponent of sticking it to us Flexes. Thanks for the great post, only wish it would have been there 15 months ago.